UN Warns Billions Still Lack Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation
UNITED NATIONS – A new UN report has revealed a stark reality: one in every four people across the globe did not have access to safely managed drinking water in 2023. More than 100 million people were forced to rely on unsafe sources such as rivers, ponds, and streams to meet their daily needs.
The joint assessment by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF warns that billions continue to fall sick due to poor water, sanitation, and hygiene services. It also cautions that achieving universal access by 2030 remains unlikely.
“Water and sanitation are basic human rights, not privileges,” said Rüdiger Krech, WHO’s Head of Environment.
The report classifies drinking water into five categories: piped and uncontaminated water; basic water within a 30-minute walk; limited water requiring longer access; unimproved sources such as unsafe wells or springs; and surface water from rivers or lakes.
Progress has been made since 2015, with 961 million people gaining access to clean water, lifting global coverage from 68% to 74%. Open defecation has also declined, while handwashing facilities have improved worldwide.
Still, the report highlights that more than 2.1 billion people lacked safe drinking water in 2023, including 106 million who depended on surface water—down by 61 million compared to ten years earlier.
The number of countries relying on unsafe water sources has risen from 142 in 2015 to 154 in 2024. In contrast, 89 countries are projected to reach universal access to basic water, while just 31 will achieve safe drinking water for all.
However, progress remains deeply uneven. In 28 countries, mostly in Africa, more than one in four people are still deprived of even the most basic drinking water services.
The report calls for urgent international action to close these gaps, stressing that safe water and sanitation remain essential for health, dignity, and human survival.
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