Billions of people still lack safely managed drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services, leaving the world dangerously off track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6, according to the World Health Organization’s Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Annual Report 2025.
WHO said more than one billion people receive care in health facilities that do not have even basic water services. Inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene contribute to an estimated 1.4 million deaths every year.
The report says cholera, armed conflict and climate shocks continue to expose the fragility of essential WASH services. Although progress has been made since 2015, tighter financing and rising climate and conflict-related pressures are making the remaining task more difficult.
WHO said its 2026-2035 strategy will focus on ensuring that WASH services are not only expanded but are safe, equitable, resilient and sustainable, using health standards, monitoring, regulation and partnerships to support countries at scale.
