GITNUXREPORT 2026

Clean Water Statistics

Billions still lack safe water, causing immense suffering and death, especially for children.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

As of 2023, 2.2 billion people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water services.

Statistic 2

In 2022, 785 million people still used unprotected drinking water sources worldwide.

Statistic 3

Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest access to safely managed drinking water at 24% of the population in 2022.

Statistic 4

By 2030, an estimated 1.8 billion people will still lack safely managed drinking water if current trends continue.

Statistic 5

In low-income countries, only 32% of the population had access to safely managed drinking water in 2020.

Statistic 6

Rural areas worldwide have 43% less access to safely managed water than urban areas as of 2022.

Statistic 7

India has over 163 million people without access to clean drinking water in 2023.

Statistic 8

In Ethiopia, 41% of the population lacks basic drinking water services in 2022.

Statistic 9

Globally, women and girls spend 200 million hours daily collecting water, impacting access.

Statistic 10

Pakistan has 69% of its population using unimproved water sources in rural areas, 2021 data.

Statistic 11

Bangladesh rural water access stands at 87% for basic services but only 38% safely managed in 2022.

Statistic 12

In Yemen, 18 million people face water scarcity, with 80% relying on unsafe sources in 2023.

Statistic 13

Nigeria's northern states have over 60% of population without clean water access, 2022.

Statistic 14

Globally, 115 million people use surface water for drinking in 2020.

Statistic 15

In Latin America, 33 million lack access to improved water sources as of 2021.

Statistic 16

Afghanistan has 59% of its population without safe drinking water in 2023.

Statistic 17

South Sudan has only 7% safely managed drinking water access nationwide, 2022.

Statistic 18

In Central Asia, 15% of the population lacks basic water services in 2020.

Statistic 19

Haiti has 48% of population using unimproved water sources post-2021.

Statistic 20

Globally, progress in water access stalled during COVID-19, reversing gains for 40 million, 2020-2022.

Statistic 21

The global economic loss from inadequate WASH is $260 billion annually, mainly health costs.

Statistic 22

Poor water access costs low-income countries 2.4% of GDP yearly.

Statistic 23

Diarrhoea due to unsafe water costs global economy $7 billion in treatment alone yearly.

Statistic 24

In India, waterborne diseases lead to 73 million workdays lost annually.

Statistic 25

Global cost of unsafe sanitation and water is 5.5% of GDP in developing countries.

Statistic 26

Women lose 97 billion hours yearly fetching water, equivalent to unpaid labor cost of $30 billion.

Statistic 27

In sub-Saharan Africa, WASH investments yield $5.50 return per $1 spent.

Statistic 28

Pakistan loses 1.7% of GDP ($2.3 billion) yearly to poor water quality.

Statistic 29

Child illness from unsafe water causes $12 billion in productivity losses globally.

Statistic 30

In Ethiopia, water fetching reduces school attendance by 20% for girls.

Statistic 31

Global tourism loses $10 billion yearly due to waterborne disease risks.

Statistic 32

Agriculture, using 70% of water, loses $150 billion to scarcity in developing nations.

Statistic 33

In Bangladesh, arsenic water contamination costs $31 million in health yearly.

Statistic 34

Poor WASH leads to 443 million school days lost annually worldwide.

Statistic 35

In Latin America, water scarcity costs 0.5-2% of GDP per country.

Statistic 36

Yemen's economy loses 15% GDP potential due to water crisis.

Statistic 37

Globally, 1.7% of GDP ($1 trillion) lost to violence over water resources.

Statistic 38

In Nigeria, oil spills contaminate water, costing $1 billion in fisheries yearly.

Statistic 39

80% of global wastewater untreated, costing ecosystems $1.5 trillion yearly.

Statistic 40

Agriculture accounts for 70% of freshwater withdrawals, leading to aquifer depletion.

Statistic 41

Plastic pollution in water bodies: 14 million tons enter oceans yearly.

Statistic 42

Groundwater depletion: 30% of world's aquifers overexploited as of 2023.

Statistic 43

Climate change to reduce renewable water by 10-30% by 2050 in arid regions.

Statistic 44

1.8 billion people use contaminated water sources with fecal matter.

Statistic 45

Rivers: 80% of wastewater discharged untreated into them globally.

Statistic 46

Coral reefs, vital for clean water filtration, lost 14% since 2009.

Statistic 47

Wetlands, which purify 70% of surface water naturally, lost 35% since 1970.

Statistic 48

Eutrophication from agricultural runoff affects 400,000 km² of inland waters.

Statistic 49

Microplastics in 90% of bottled water samples worldwide.

Statistic 50

Dead zones in oceans from nutrient pollution cover 245,000 km².

Statistic 51

Deforestation reduces water retention by 20-40% in catchments.

Statistic 52

Saltwater intrusion affects 1 billion people via overpumping aquifers.

Statistic 53

Acid rain contaminates freshwater, affecting 20% of lakes in Europe.

Statistic 54

Industrial pollution: 300,000 tons heavy metals dumped into waters yearly.

Statistic 55

Glacial melt: 1.5 billion depend on them, 30% volume loss by 2050.

Statistic 56

Urban runoff carries 30% more pollutants during storms.

Statistic 57

Bioaccumulation of pesticides in water harms 50% fish species.

Statistic 58

Desertification reduces water availability for 1 billion people.

Statistic 59

Since 1900, 50% major rivers dammed, fragmenting ecosystems.

Statistic 60

In 2022, unsafe drinking water caused 485,000 diarrhoeal deaths annually, mostly children.

Statistic 61

Contaminated water contributes to 829,000 deaths yearly from diarrhoea globally.

Statistic 62

In low-income countries, 1 in 4 deaths of children under 5 is due to poor WASH in 2023.

Statistic 63

Unsafe water leads to 1.7 million child deaths annually from preventable diseases.

Statistic 64

Globally, 564 children under 5 die daily from diarrhoea linked to unsafe water.

Statistic 65

In sub-Saharan Africa, waterborne diseases cause 40% of hospital admissions.

Statistic 66

Cholera outbreaks linked to poor water quality affected 1.3 million cases in 2022.

Statistic 67

2.4 billion people at risk of dengue from stagnant unclean water globally.

Statistic 68

In India, 200,000 deaths yearly from water-related diseases like typhoid.

Statistic 69

Poor sanitation and water cause 432,000 malaria deaths annually via mosquito breeding.

Statistic 70

Globally, 80% of wastewater is discharged untreated into water bodies, spreading diseases.

Statistic 71

In Pakistan, 40% of hospital patients are treated for waterborne diseases.

Statistic 72

Unsafe water management leads to 1.4 million deaths from neglected tropical diseases yearly.

Statistic 73

In Africa, schistosomiasis affects 240 million people due to contaminated water contact.

Statistic 74

Diarrhoea from unsafe water is second leading cause of death in children under 5, killing 370,000 yearly.

Statistic 75

In Yemen, 10 million children at risk of acute watery diarrhoea from unclean water.

Statistic 76

Globally, hepatitis A from contaminated water infects 1.4 million yearly.

Statistic 77

Poor water quality contributes to 50% of malnutrition cases in children under 5.

Statistic 78

In Southeast Asia, 300 million people affected by arsenic-contaminated groundwater.

Statistic 79

Legionnaires' disease from unclean water systems causes 10,000 deaths yearly in Europe.

Statistic 80

Investments in clean water reached $169 billion globally in 2022.

Statistic 81

Solar-powered water systems installed in 1 million households in Africa by 2023.

Statistic 82

Household water treatment reached 30% coverage in low-income countries.

Statistic 83

UN SDG 6 progress: 74% global population with basic water access by 2022.

Statistic 84

Desalination capacity grew to 100 million m³/day worldwide in 2023.

Statistic 85

Rainwater harvesting adopted by 20 million households in India.

Statistic 86

Wastewater reuse: 60% in Israel, saving 90% freshwater.

Statistic 87

Smart water meters reduced leaks by 20% in 500 cities.

Statistic 88

Chlorination reduced diarrhoea by 40% in treated communities.

Statistic 89

Community-led total sanitation reached 100 million people.

Statistic 90

UV treatment systems disinfected water for 50 million in emergencies.

Statistic 91

Greywater recycling saves 50 liters/person/day in urban areas.

Statistic 92

Aquifer recharge projects restored 10 billion m³ water yearly.

Statistic 93

Drip irrigation saved 50% water in 20 million hectares.

Statistic 94

Water pricing reforms reduced consumption 15% in 100 countries.

Statistic 95

Nanofiltration membranes removed 99% contaminants in pilots.

Statistic 96

Public-private partnerships built 10,000 water points in Africa.

Statistic 97

Education campaigns increased handwashing with soap to 40% globally.

Statistic 98

Satellite monitoring detected 80% illegal water abstractions.

Statistic 99

Bio-sand filters provided clean water to 5 million households.

Statistic 100

Policy reforms universalized water access in Portugal by 2021.

1/100

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

Imagine a world where one out of every three people wakes up not knowing if the water they drink today might make them, or their children, fatally ill—a sobering reality underpinned by staggering statistics, from the 2.2 billion globally lacking safe water to the heartbreaking 485,000 annual diarrheal deaths linked to contamination.

Key Takeaways

As of 2023, 2.2 billion people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water services.
In 2022, 785 million people still used unprotected drinking water sources worldwide.
Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest access to safely managed drinking water at 24% of the population in 2022.
In 2022, unsafe drinking water caused 485,000 diarrhoeal deaths annually, mostly children.
Contaminated water contributes to 829,000 deaths yearly from diarrhoea globally.
In low-income countries, 1 in 4 deaths of children under 5 is due to poor WASH in 2023.
The global economic loss from inadequate WASH is $260 billion annually, mainly health costs.
Poor water access costs low-income countries 2.4% of GDP yearly.
Diarrhoea due to unsafe water costs global economy $7 billion in treatment alone yearly.
80% of global wastewater untreated, costing ecosystems $1.5 trillion yearly.
Agriculture accounts for 70% of freshwater withdrawals, leading to aquifer depletion.
Plastic pollution in water bodies: 14 million tons enter oceans yearly.
Investments in clean water reached $169 billion globally in 2022.
Solar-powered water systems installed in 1 million households in Africa by 2023.
Household water treatment reached 30% coverage in low-income countries.

Billions still lack safe water, causing immense suffering and death, especially for children.

Access and Availability

As of 2023, 2.2 billion people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water services.
In 2022, 785 million people still used unprotected drinking water sources worldwide.
Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest access to safely managed drinking water at 24% of the population in 2022.
By 2030, an estimated 1.8 billion people will still lack safely managed drinking water if current trends continue.
In low-income countries, only 32% of the population had access to safely managed drinking water in 2020.
Rural areas worldwide have 43% less access to safely managed water than urban areas as of 2022.
India has over 163 million people without access to clean drinking water in 2023.
In Ethiopia, 41% of the population lacks basic drinking water services in 2022.
Globally, women and girls spend 200 million hours daily collecting water, impacting access.
Pakistan has 69% of its population using unimproved water sources in rural areas, 2021 data.
Bangladesh rural water access stands at 87% for basic services but only 38% safely managed in 2022.
In Yemen, 18 million people face water scarcity, with 80% relying on unsafe sources in 2023.
Nigeria's northern states have over 60% of population without clean water access, 2022.
Globally, 115 million people use surface water for drinking in 2020.
In Latin America, 33 million lack access to improved water sources as of 2021.
Afghanistan has 59% of its population without safe drinking water in 2023.
South Sudan has only 7% safely managed drinking water access nationwide, 2022.
In Central Asia, 15% of the population lacks basic water services in 2020.
Haiti has 48% of population using unimproved water sources post-2021.
Globally, progress in water access stalled during COVID-19, reversing gains for 40 million, 2020-2022.

Access and Availability Interpretation

The grim joke of our era is that we can send a car to space but cannot manage the straightforward arithmetic of providing a basic glass of clean water to billions, a failing that mocks our claims of progress with every parched hour spent collecting it.

Economic and Social Impacts

The global economic loss from inadequate WASH is $260 billion annually, mainly health costs.
Poor water access costs low-income countries 2.4% of GDP yearly.
Diarrhoea due to unsafe water costs global economy $7 billion in treatment alone yearly.
In India, waterborne diseases lead to 73 million workdays lost annually.
Global cost of unsafe sanitation and water is 5.5% of GDP in developing countries.
Women lose 97 billion hours yearly fetching water, equivalent to unpaid labor cost of $30 billion.
In sub-Saharan Africa, WASH investments yield $5.50 return per $1 spent.
Pakistan loses 1.7% of GDP ($2.3 billion) yearly to poor water quality.
Child illness from unsafe water causes $12 billion in productivity losses globally.
In Ethiopia, water fetching reduces school attendance by 20% for girls.
Global tourism loses $10 billion yearly due to waterborne disease risks.
Agriculture, using 70% of water, loses $150 billion to scarcity in developing nations.
In Bangladesh, arsenic water contamination costs $31 million in health yearly.
Poor WASH leads to 443 million school days lost annually worldwide.
In Latin America, water scarcity costs 0.5-2% of GDP per country.
Yemen's economy loses 15% GDP potential due to water crisis.
Globally, 1.7% of GDP ($1 trillion) lost to violence over water resources.
In Nigeria, oil spills contaminate water, costing $1 billion in fisheries yearly.

Economic and Social Impacts Interpretation

Pouring trillions down the drain in lost lives, labor, and potential, the world's failure to provide clean water is a catastrophic ledger where every saved dollar costs us five in folly.

Environmental Factors

80% of global wastewater untreated, costing ecosystems $1.5 trillion yearly.
Agriculture accounts for 70% of freshwater withdrawals, leading to aquifer depletion.
Plastic pollution in water bodies: 14 million tons enter oceans yearly.
Groundwater depletion: 30% of world's aquifers overexploited as of 2023.
Climate change to reduce renewable water by 10-30% by 2050 in arid regions.
1.8 billion people use contaminated water sources with fecal matter.
Rivers: 80% of wastewater discharged untreated into them globally.
Coral reefs, vital for clean water filtration, lost 14% since 2009.
Wetlands, which purify 70% of surface water naturally, lost 35% since 1970.
Eutrophication from agricultural runoff affects 400,000 km² of inland waters.
Microplastics in 90% of bottled water samples worldwide.
Dead zones in oceans from nutrient pollution cover 245,000 km².
Deforestation reduces water retention by 20-40% in catchments.
Saltwater intrusion affects 1 billion people via overpumping aquifers.
Acid rain contaminates freshwater, affecting 20% of lakes in Europe.
Industrial pollution: 300,000 tons heavy metals dumped into waters yearly.
Glacial melt: 1.5 billion depend on them, 30% volume loss by 2050.
Urban runoff carries 30% more pollutants during storms.
Bioaccumulation of pesticides in water harms 50% fish species.
Desertification reduces water availability for 1 billion people.
Since 1900, 50% major rivers dammed, fragmenting ecosystems.

Environmental Factors Interpretation

We are, with startling efficiency, turning our planet's lifeblood into a toxic asset, draining, polluting, and fragmenting the very systems that sustain us.

Health and Sanitation

In 2022, unsafe drinking water caused 485,000 diarrhoeal deaths annually, mostly children.
Contaminated water contributes to 829,000 deaths yearly from diarrhoea globally.
In low-income countries, 1 in 4 deaths of children under 5 is due to poor WASH in 2023.
Unsafe water leads to 1.7 million child deaths annually from preventable diseases.
Globally, 564 children under 5 die daily from diarrhoea linked to unsafe water.
In sub-Saharan Africa, waterborne diseases cause 40% of hospital admissions.
Cholera outbreaks linked to poor water quality affected 1.3 million cases in 2022.
2.4 billion people at risk of dengue from stagnant unclean water globally.
In India, 200,000 deaths yearly from water-related diseases like typhoid.
Poor sanitation and water cause 432,000 malaria deaths annually via mosquito breeding.
Globally, 80% of wastewater is discharged untreated into water bodies, spreading diseases.
In Pakistan, 40% of hospital patients are treated for waterborne diseases.
Unsafe water management leads to 1.4 million deaths from neglected tropical diseases yearly.
In Africa, schistosomiasis affects 240 million people due to contaminated water contact.
Diarrhoea from unsafe water is second leading cause of death in children under 5, killing 370,000 yearly.
In Yemen, 10 million children at risk of acute watery diarrhoea from unclean water.
Globally, hepatitis A from contaminated water infects 1.4 million yearly.
Poor water quality contributes to 50% of malnutrition cases in children under 5.
In Southeast Asia, 300 million people affected by arsenic-contaminated groundwater.
Legionnaires' disease from unclean water systems causes 10,000 deaths yearly in Europe.

Health and Sanitation Interpretation

The numbers are a damning ledger of neglect, proving that a child's most dangerous predator is often the invisible life in a glass of water.

Solutions and Progress

Investments in clean water reached $169 billion globally in 2022.
Solar-powered water systems installed in 1 million households in Africa by 2023.
Household water treatment reached 30% coverage in low-income countries.
UN SDG 6 progress: 74% global population with basic water access by 2022.
Desalination capacity grew to 100 million m³/day worldwide in 2023.
Rainwater harvesting adopted by 20 million households in India.
Wastewater reuse: 60% in Israel, saving 90% freshwater.
Smart water meters reduced leaks by 20% in 500 cities.
Chlorination reduced diarrhoea by 40% in treated communities.
Community-led total sanitation reached 100 million people.
UV treatment systems disinfected water for 50 million in emergencies.
Greywater recycling saves 50 liters/person/day in urban areas.
Aquifer recharge projects restored 10 billion m³ water yearly.
Drip irrigation saved 50% water in 20 million hectares.
Water pricing reforms reduced consumption 15% in 100 countries.
Nanofiltration membranes removed 99% contaminants in pilots.
Public-private partnerships built 10,000 water points in Africa.
Education campaigns increased handwashing with soap to 40% globally.
Satellite monitoring detected 80% illegal water abstractions.
Bio-sand filters provided clean water to 5 million households.
Policy reforms universalized water access in Portugal by 2021.

Solutions and Progress Interpretation

The global pursuit of clean water is a patchwork quilt of progress, stitched together from solar pumps in Africa and smart meters in cities, proving that while we haven't turned the tide everywhere, we're at least learning how to darn the leaks.

Sources & References

Logos provided by Logo.dev