Key statistics
Every minute a newborn dies from infection caused by lack of clean water and an unclean environment.
Every minute a newborn dies from infection caused by lack of clean water and an unclean environment.
(WHO, 2015 & UNICEF 2019/20)
Diarrhoea caused by dirty water and poor toilets kills a child under 5 every 2 minutes.
Diarrhoea caused by dirty water and poor toilets kills a child under 5 every 2 minutes.
(WHO, 2023, Burden of disease attributable to unsafe drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene)
Basic water services alone could save women 77 million working days per year.
Basic water services alone could save women 77 million working days per year.
(Mission-critical Report, WaterAid, 2021)
If everyone, everywhere had a decent toilet of their own by 2040, a net benefit of US$86 billion could be generated per year.
If everyone, everywhere had a decent toilet of their own by 2040, a net benefit of US$86 billion could be generated per year.
(Mission-critical report, WaterAid, 2021)
293 million children worldwide go to a school that either has dirty water, or no water at all.
293 million children worldwide go to a school that either has dirty water, or no water at all.
(WHO/UNICEF, 2022, Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in schools)
Based on current rates, the world could face a 40% shortfall in freshwater by 2030.
Based on current rates, the world could face a 40% shortfall in freshwater by 2030.
(Global Commission on the Economics of Water, 2023, Turning the Tide: A call to collective action)
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*All (WHO/UNICEF, 2023, Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2022)