Access to Safely Managed Drinking Water
Percentage of population using safely managed drinking water services.
Quick Reference
Unit
% of population
Category
People & Society
Metric Code
safe_water_access
How It's Calculated
Percentage of population using improved water sources (piped water, protected wells/springs, rainwater) that are accessible on premises, available when needed, and free from fecal and chemical contamination. Based on household surveys (DHS, MICS) and water quality testing. "Safely managed" is the highest tier on the JMP drinking water ladder.
Why It Matters
Access to safe drinking water is fundamental to health, reducing waterborne diseases (cholera, typhoid, dysentery) that kill hundreds of thousands annually, especially children. It is SDG 6.1 and a prerequisite for achieving many health outcomes. Lack of access forces reliance on distant, contaminated, or expensive water sources, disproportionately affecting women and girls who spend hours collecting water.
Understanding the Values
Very Low: < 50% (crisis - majority lack safe water) Low: 50-75% (major gaps - widespread waterborne disease) Moderate: 75-90% (progress made - vulnerable groups remain underserved) Good: 90-98% (near-universal - remote areas still lacking) Universal: > 98% (SDG achieved - minimal gaps) SDG Target 6.1: Universal and equitable access to safe water by 2030 Global average: ~74% safely managed (2020) Note: 2 billion people still lack safely managed water
Related Metrics
Child Malnutrition (Underweight)
Percentage of children under 5 who are moderately or severely underweight for their age.
Infant Mortality Rate
Number of deaths of infants under one year old per 1,000 live births.
Life Expectancy at Birth
Average number of years a newborn is expected to live under current mortality patterns.
Access to Improved Sanitation Facilities
Percentage of population using improved sanitation facilities that safely dispose of human waste.
Data Quality & Coverage
Coverage: 217 countries Update frequency: Annual (with 2-3 year lag from surveys) Source: World Bank / WHO-UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Limitations: "Safely managed" requires water quality testing, not available in all surveys. Many countries report higher "basic" water access (improved source within 30 minutes) but not safety. Urban vs rural disparities significant. Climate change and pollution threaten existing supplies.