From 2015 to 2022, the share of the global population with safe and well-handled drinking water went up from 69% to 73%, marking progress but revealing the persistent gaps that continue to need attention. This coverage varies significantly by region, with Europe and Northern America having the highest coverage at 94%. In comparison, sub-Saharan Africa lags with only 31% coverage, according to UNICEF and the World Health Organization.
In 2022, 17% of the global population, or 1.4 billion people, had handwashing facilities that didn't have water or soap, while 8%, or 640 million people, had no handwashing facilities whatsoever. The absence of these facilities affects adolescent girls and women and those who menstruate the most, making it challenging for them to manage their periods safely and privately, according to a report by UNICEF and WHO.
Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 is everyone’s responsibility, Ammar Orakzai, water, sanitation and hygiene, or WASH, chief at UNICEF Tajikistan, told Devex. Orakzai highlighted how often those affected by policies and plans are not included. “Creating space for the community to be consulted in policy development, reviews, [and] progress would help understand real issues of implementation,” he explained.
About the author
Katrina J. Lane
Katrina Lane is an Editorial Strategist and Reporter at Devex. She writes on ecologies and social inclusion, and also supports the creation of partnership content at Devex. She holds a degree in Psychology from Warwick University, offering a unique perspective on the cognitive frameworks and social factors that influence responses to global issues.
