Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 6 Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Water scarcity affects more than 40 percent of people, an alarming figure that is projected to rise as temperatures do. Although 2.1 billion people have improved water sanitation since 1990, dwindling drinking water supplies are affecting every continent.
Safely Managed Drinking Water Services

Target


6.1 By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all


6.1.1 Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services

Arab Region
2024
73.8
٪ of population was using safely managed drinking water services
79.0
0.63 % since 2000
Europe
2024
93.2
٪ of population was using safely managed drinking water services
95.5
86.1
0.19 % since 2000
World
2024
73.7
٪ of population was using safely managed drinking water services
83.5
60.5
0.74 % since 2000
Open Defecation

Target


6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable hygiene for all


6.2.1 Proportion of population practicing open defecation

Arab Region
2024
2.9
٪ of population was practicing open defecation
0.342
6.8
-6 % since 2000
Latin America & Caribbean
2024
0.712
٪ of population was practicing open defecation
0.138
3.2
-10 % since 2000
World
2024
4.3
٪ of population was practicing open defecation
0.651
9.2
-6 % since 2000
Handwashing Facility

Target


6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable hygiene for all


6.2.1 Proportion of population with basic handwashing facilities on premises

Arab Region
2024
85.6
٪ of population was using a handwashing facility with soap and water
88.3
81.7
0.69 % since 2013
Central America
2024
96.9
٪ of population was using a handwashing facility with soap and water
97.0
96.7
0.99 % since 2013
World
2024
79.7
٪ of population was using a handwashing facility with soap and water
85.8
71.5
2 % since 2013
Safely Managed Sanitation Services

Target


6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation for all


6.2.1 Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services

Arab Region
2024
54.7
٪ of population was using safely managed sanitation services
65.3
39.0
2 % since 2000
Europe
2024
81.0
٪ of population was using safely managed sanitation services
85.3
67.2
0.01 % since 2000
World
2024
58.5
٪ of population was using safely managed sanitation services
65.8
48.5
3 % since 2000
Safely Treated Wastewater

Target


6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally


6.3.1 Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated

Arab Region
2024
63.2
٪ of wastewater flows were safely treated
0.45 % since 2020
Europe & North America
2024
87.2
٪ of wastewater flows were safely treated
2 % since 2020
World
2024
55.8
٪ of wastewater flows were safely treated
0.10 % since 2020
Water bodies with good quality

Target


6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally


6.3.2 Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

Arab Region
2023
57.8
٪ of water bodies were with good quality
-5 % since 2017
West Europe
2023
79
٪ of water bodies were with good quality
0.37 % since 2017
World
2023
56.4
٪ of water bodies were with good quality
-0.15 % since 2017
Water Use Efficiency

Target


6.4 By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater


6.4.1 Change in water-use efficiency over time

Arab Region
2022
11.5
USD/m3 of water was efficient
3 % since 2000
Europe
2022
68.0
USD/m3 of water was efficient
3 % since 2000
World
2022
21.5
USD/m3 of water was efficient
2 % since 2000
Freshwater Withdrawal

Target


6.4 By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater


6.4.2 Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

Arab Region
2022
114.0
٪ of freshwater was withdrawn of available freshwater resources
-1 % since 2000
Europe
2022
8.2
٪ of freshwater was withdrawn of available freshwater resources
-1 % since 2000
World
2022
18.0
٪ of freshwater was withdrawn of available freshwater resources
0.13 % since 2000
Water Resources Management

Target


6.5 By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels


6.5.1 Degree of integrated water resources management implementation (0-100)

Arab Region
2023
50
٪ was the degree of integrated water resources management implemented
1 % since 2017
Europe
2023
75
٪ was the degree of integrated water resources management implemented
2 % since 2017
World
2023
57
٪ was the degree of integrated water resources management implemented
2 % since 2017
Transboundary Basin Area

Target


6.5 By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels


6.5.2 Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation

Arab Region
2023
27.0
٪ is the average percentage of transboundary basin area covered by an operational arrangement for water cooperation
N/A
Europe
2023
75.7
٪ is the average percentage of transboundary basin area covered by an operational arrangement for water cooperation
N/A
World
2023
58.5
٪ is the average percentage of transboundary basin area covered by an operational arrangement for water cooperation
-0.15 % since 2017
Transboundary Aquifers

Target


6.5 By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels


6.5.2 Proportion of aquifers transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation

Arab Region
2023
26.4
٪ is the average percentage of transboundary aquifer area covered by an operational arrangement for water cooperation
N/A
Europe
2023
72.7
٪ is the average percentage of transboundary aquifer area covered by an operational arrangement for water cooperation
N/A
World
2023
45.9
٪ is the average percentage of transboundary aquifer area covered by an operational arrangement for water cooperation
-0.79 % since 2017
Transboundary River & Lake Basins

Target


6.5 By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels


6.5.2 Proportion of river & lake transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation

Arab Region
2023
33.8
٪ is the average percentage of transboundary river and lake area covered by an operational arrangement for water cooperation
N/A
Europe
2023
76.1
٪ is the average percentage of transboundary river and lake area covered by an operational arrangement for water cooperation
N/A
World
2023
65.8
٪ is the average percentage of transboundary river and lake area covered by an operational arrangement for water cooperation
0.39 % since 2017
Permanent Water Body Extent

Target


6.6 By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes


6.6.1 Proportion of water body extent (permanent) of total land area

Arab Region
2022
0.001
٪ of permanent water body extent of total land area
4 % since 2000
Europe
2022
0.024
٪ of permanent water body extent of total land area
4 % since 2000
World
2022
0.02
٪ of permanent water body extent of total land area
1 % since 2000