Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2024: Special focus on inequalities

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Despite progress, billions still lack access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, facing higher risks of disease and social exclusion. A new WHO and UNICEF report highlights persistent inequalities, particularly affecting people in low-income countries, rural areas, fragile contexts, children, and minority groups.

Key findings:

• 2.1 billion lack safely managed drinking water; 3.4 billion lack safely managed sanitation; 1.7 billion lack basic hygiene.
• People in least developed and fragile contexts face the greatest disparities.
• Rural communities, adolescent girls, and women bear disproportionate burdens, including water collection and menstrual challenges.
• Achieving universal access by 2030 will require accelerated action.

Dr Ruediger Krech, WHO: “Water, sanitation and hygiene are basic human rights.”
Cecilia Scharp, UNICEF: “We must act faster to reach those who need it most, especially children and girls.”