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More than two billion people do not have access to proper sanitation
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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WHO together with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in their speech warn about problems with access to drinking water and sanitation in some regions, which can negatively affect the health of both children and adults. In their report on progress in the field of sanitation, experts noted that today more than two billion people (every third person on the planet) do not have access to normal sanitation and clean drinking water, while about a million people continue to relieve themselves in the open.
WHO therefore recommends focusing on the inequalities that undermine health progress.
As Sanjay Wijesekera, head of UNICEF's clean water and sanitation programmes, noted, the current model is that access to normal sanitation and improved drinking water is primarily available to wealthy segments of the population, and then less well-off people get access to such conditions.
For many countries, access to clean water has been one of their greatest achievements. Over 25 years, 91% of the world's population has been provided with improved drinking water. In African countries, more than 400 million people have gained access to clean water.
In addition, child survival rates have improved significantly. Today, less than a thousand children die from acute diarrhea caused by contaminated water and poor sanitation (15 years ago, more than 2 thousand children died from diarrhea).
Some of the factors hindering progress in sanitation have been underinvestment in the area, a lack of products accessible to the poor, and social norms that encourage open-air sanitation rather than designated areas.
However, since 1990, more than two billion people have received improved sanitation. WHO experts note that work in this area must continue until the 100% figure is reached.
As long as people around the world lack access to adequate sanitation and clean drinking water, outbreaks of dangerous infections will continue, claiming the lives of thousands of people, including children.
Access to clean water and normal sanitation is essential in the prevention and treatment of the vast majority of tropical diseases (16 out of 17), including helminthiasis, trachoma, etc. More than 1.5 billion people in almost 150 countries suffer from these diseases.
During the report, experts particularly emphasized the importance of further work in the field of sanitation. It is very important for the health and well-being of humanity to ensure access to clean water and normal sanitation in rural areas, slums, etc.
According to UN plans, by 2030 it is necessary to eliminate the concept of defecating in the open; in addition, it is important to eliminate inequality and ensure access to normal sanitation and clean water regardless of social status.
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