Lifestyle
Top 20 countries with the least access to clean and safe drinking water
Potable water is simply water that is clean and safe for human consumption. It’s free from harmful contaminants, bacteria, viruses, and chemicals that could cause illness.
Even though access to clean, potable water is essential for human health, hygiene, and overall well-being, unfortunately, not all humans have access to such water.
In this list based on report by WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene, we explore rank the top 20 countries with the least percentage of their population having access to potable water.
This percentage considers number of people using drinking water from an improved source that is accessible on premises, available when needed and free from faecal and priority chemical contamination.
On a global scale, half of the people who drink water from unsafe sources live in Africa. In Sub-Saharan Africa, only 24% of the population have access to safe drinking water.
Improved water sources include piped water, boreholes or tubewells, protected dug wells, protected springs, and packaged or delivered water.
1. Chad – 6%
Chad is a landlocked country located in North-Central Africa. Much of the country is covered by the Sahara Desert, leading to arid conditions and limited water resources.
The Lake Chad, once a significant water body, has shrunk dramatically due to climate change and overexploitation.
The African country is one of the world’s poorest countries, with a large portion of the population living in rural areas and facing economic hardship.
With a total population estimated at 18.8 million as of August 2024, Chad however faces a severe shortage of potable water. This is a major humanitarian crisis affecting the health and well-being of its population, especially children.
Only 6 per cent of its population has access to clean and safe water.
2. Central African Republic (CAR) – 6%
The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country in the heart of Africa with a large portion of the population living in extreme poverty.
The country suffers from a lack of basic infrastructure, including roads, healthcare facilities, and schools. Its population as of August 2024 is estimated at 5.9 million.
Only 6 per cent of this population has access to clean and safe drinking water.
3. Sierra Leone – 10%
Sierra Leone is a West African country that has made significant strides in rebuilding its infrastructure. While it has recorded some progress, Sierra Leone, still faces some challenges including poor access to clean and safe drinking water as only 10 per cent enjoy the luxury.
4. Ethiopia: 13%
Ethiopia, often referred to as the “Roof of Africa” due to its impressive highlands, is a country located in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa.
The nation’s population is estimated at 129.9 million as of August 2024. However, only 13 per cent of this population has access to clean drinking water.
5. Kiribati: 14%
Kiribati is a small island nation located in the central Pacific Ocean. Its traditions deeply rooted in its ocean environment.
The country is one of the least populated nations in the world with only 135,970 population. Despite being surrounded by lots of water, only 14 per cent of the island nation has access to clean and safe drinking water.
6. Nepal: 16%
7. Uganda: 19%
8. Nigeria: 29%
9. Cambodia: 29%
10. Afghanistan: 30%
11. Indonesia: 30%
12. Mexico: 43%
13. Philippines: 48%
14. Pakistan: 51%
15. Vietnam: 58%
16. Bangladesh: 59%
17. Iraq: 60%
18. Algeria: 71%
19. Colombia: 74%
20. Morocco: 75%
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from online sources. NewsWireNGR or its editorial team cannot independently verify all details.
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