South Africa—Access to Basic Drinking Water (%)
South Africa's access to basic drinking water (%) was 90.2% in 2024, ranking #146 out of 205 countries. This represents a -0.3% change from 2023. Over the past 25 years, the highest recorded value was 92.5% (2014) and the lowest was 86.0% (2000). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 90.2% | -0.3% |
| 2023 | 90.4% | -0.3% |
| 2022 | 90.7% | -0.3% |
| 2021 | 90.9% | -0.3% |
| 2020 | 91.2% | -0.3% |
| 2019 | 91.4% | -0.2% |
| 2018 | 91.6% | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 91.8% | -0.2% |
| 2016 | 92.1% | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 92.3% | -0.2% |
| 2014 | 92.5% | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 92.1% | +0.5% |
| 2012 | 91.7% | +0.5% |
| 2011 | 91.2% | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 90.8% | +0.5% |
| 2009 | 90.3% | +0.5% |
| 2008 | 89.9% | +0.5% |
| 2007 | 89.4% | +0.5% |
| 2006 | 89.0% | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 88.5% | +0.6% |
| 2004 | 88.0% | +0.6% |
| 2003 | 87.5% | +0.6% |
| 2002 | 87.0% | +0.6% |
| 2001 | 86.5% | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 86.0% |
Top Countries — Access to Basic Drinking Water (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monaco | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 2 | Luxembourg | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 3 | Bermuda | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 4 | Liechtenstein | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 6 | Greenland | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 7 | Greece | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 8 | Gibraltar | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 9 | Germany | 100.0% | 2024 |
| 10 | Thailand | 100.0% | 2024 |
About This Indicator
Definition
The percentage of people using at least basic water services. This indicator encompasses both people using basic water services as well as those using safely managed water services. Basic drinking water services is defined as drinking water from an improved source, provided collection time is not more than 30 minutes for a round trip. Improved water sources include piped water, boreholes or tubewells, protected dug wells, protected springs, and packaged or delivered water.
Methodology
Data compiled by WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene, World Health Organization (WHO), uri: washdata.org, publisher: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (washdata.org), date accessed: 2025-09-30, date published: 2025-08-25; UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), uri: washdata.org, note: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene.