Despite significant progress in recent decades, billions of people around the world continue to live without safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, according to a new global report released by the World Health Organization (WHO). The findings have raised fresh concerns about the world’s ability to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which calls for universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.
The report paints a sobering picture of inequality, with 2.1 billion people still lacking access to safely managed drinking water, while 1.7 billion people do not have access to even basic hygiene services in their homes. Even more alarming, 3.4 billion individuals — nearly half of the world’s population — are without safely managed sanitation.
Alarming Global Statistics
The WHO report gathered data from multiple countries, focusing on hygiene, sanitation, and menstrual health for women and girls. Among its most striking revelations is the fact that 106 million people globally still drink directly from untreated surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, and ponds. These unsafe practices expose millions to deadly diseases, including cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.
Although urban areas generally have better sanitation infrastructure than rural communities, the report noted that progress in cities has stagnated. Urban centres may boast wider access to clean water, but the rapid pace of urbanisation is straining existing infrastructure. Meanwhile, rural regions remain disproportionately affected, leaving millions dependent on unsafe sources and inadequate hygiene services.
Impact on Women and Girls
The burden of poor sanitation and lack of safe water falls most heavily on women and girls. The WHO findings highlight that in areas without reliable water infrastructure, women and girls are often responsible for collecting water. This responsibility consumes hours of their day, time that could otherwise be spent on education, work, or leisure.
Beyond water collection, the issue of menstrual health remains a pressing challenge. In many countries, menstruation continues to be surrounded by stigma, poor facilities, and lack of access to safe menstrual hygiene products. This inequality prevents millions of girls and women from fully participating in school, employment, and social activities during their menstrual cycles.
By tying sanitation and menstrual health directly to gender inequality, the WHO underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions that empower women and promote equal opportunities.
A Call for Accelerated Action
The WHO has described the current situation as unacceptable and urged governments, policymakers, and international partners to step up their efforts. Dr. Ruediger Krech, Director a.i for Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization, stressed that access to water, sanitation, and hygiene is a fundamental right.
“Water, sanitation and hygiene are not privileges, they are basic human rights,” Dr. Krech said. “Ensuring that every individual, regardless of where they live, has access to these services is essential not only for health but also for dignity, equality, and sustainable development.”
The call for action echoes repeated warnings from humanitarian agencies that without urgent investment and innovation, billions will continue to suffer the consequences of unsafe water and inadequate sanitation. These consequences include preventable disease outbreaks, poor maternal and child health, lost economic productivity, and persistent cycles of poverty.
The Bigger Picture: SDG 6 Under Threat
The WHO’s report comes at a critical moment. The global community is halfway to the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, but progress towards SDG 6 — clean water and sanitation for all — is severely off track. Experts warn that without a significant acceleration of investment, infrastructure, and community-based initiatives, billions of people will still lack access to these basic necessities by the end of the decade.
The economic costs of inaction are enormous. According to past studies, the global economy loses hundreds of billions of dollars annually due to water-related diseases, reduced workforce productivity, and the time spent collecting water. At the same time, evidence consistently shows that every dollar invested in water and sanitation yields significant returns in improved health, education, and economic growth.
Regional Inequalities
The WHO report further highlights sharp inequalities across regions. Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and parts of Latin America continue to face the greatest challenges. In many of these regions, rapid population growth and climate change are compounding existing problems. Droughts, floods, and water pollution are undermining fragile infrastructure, leaving millions vulnerable to water scarcity and unsafe conditions.
In contrast, higher-income countries generally enjoy near-universal access to safe water and sanitation, underscoring the global divide. However, the report cautions that even in developed regions, vulnerable groups such as migrants, refugees, and homeless populations face challenges in accessing hygiene services.
Towards Solutions
While the report paints a grim picture, it also emphasises pathways for progress. Experts argue that tackling these issues requires a multi-pronged approach, including:
- Increased investment in water infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.
- Community-led solutions that ensure sustainability and ownership.
- Innovations in technology for water purification and sanitation management.
- Gender-sensitive policies that prioritise the needs of women and girls, particularly around menstrual health.
- Public education campaigns to combat stigma and promote hygiene practices.
Governments are being urged to strengthen partnerships with non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and international development agencies to accelerate change.
A Human Rights Imperative
Ultimately, the WHO stresses that safe water, sanitation, and hygiene are not optional services, but a moral and legal obligation of governments worldwide. Without addressing these needs, global health, equality, and development goals will remain out of reach.
As Dr. Krech reminded the international community, the message is clear: “No society can thrive when its people are denied the most basic of human rights. Access to clean water and proper sanitation is not just about survival — it is about dignity, opportunity, and justice.”
With billions still left behind, the world faces a stark choice: accelerate progress now or risk entrenching inequalities for generations to come.
