Global clean water goals set to be missed, World Water Week hears

One quarter of the world’s population, 2.1bn people, still lack access to safely managed drinking water, while one third, 3.4bn, still lack access to safe sanitation.

That’s according to Progress on household drinking water and sanitation 2000–2024: special focus on inequalities – launched by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF during World Water Week 2025 in Stockholm.

Those in the least developed countries, living in fragile contexts and in rural areas are most exposed. Meanwhile 1.7bn globally still lack basic hygiene services at home.

Commenting, WaterAid’s executive director for global policy and campaigns Sol Oyuela said: “It’s sadly no surprise and utterly shameful that the UN’s goal to ensure clean water, toilets and hygiene for all by 2030 is set to be missed. A continued lack of urgency from decision makers, compounded by recent aid cuts, is pushing progress in the wrong direction…

“At World Water Week, we will hear once again the warnings, as climate change worsens an already critical situation, especially amongst women and girls, who bear the brunt of inadequate water and sanitation. But talk alone won’t save lives. What’s urgently needed is bold political will, backed by serious investment. Governments must step up to prevent lives being cut short and blighted by lack of global action on water.”