One in Four Without Safe Drinking Water: The Global Crisis that Persists.
- the Observatory for Human Rights
- Oct 23
- 2 min read
A recent United Nations (UN)’ report highlights that billions of people worldwide still lack access to safe drinkable water. Despite numerous advances achieved in the last decade since the right to water was officially recognized as a human right, major gaps persist, especially within minority groups.
According to the UN report, one in four people still lacks access to water, and as of 2022, at least half of the global population has been affected by water shortages for part of the year. This issue is more severe in developing countries and among marginalized communities. More specifically, indigenous people, minority ethnic groups, and women and girls reportedly have less access to water and sanitation facilities than others. Women and girls in rural areas are the main providers of water; reduced access can negatively impact their general safety, education and economic participation.The effects include the worsening of living conditions, increased food insecurity and health issues, and a negative impact of social development.
A report published by UNESCO in 2024 highlights that access to water is also becoming an increasingly important source of tension in many parts of the world. This issue has been detected as one of the drivers of migration in certain areas, which can further negatively impact resources and facilities, exacerbate social tensions and increase the risk of conflict.
Although water covers 70% of the earth’s surface, only about 3% is drinkable. The growing human population is increasing the demand for potable water, while climate change and agricultural activities continue to cause shortages in several areas.
The right to access to water as a human right was first recognized by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) through a resolution adopted on 28 July 2010. As indicated in the resolution, states are legally obliged to guarantee access to safe drinking water for all citizens.
Since the adoption of the UN resolutions, data have underlined remarkable progress made worldwide. According to UNICEF, between 2015 and 2024, global access to safe drinking water services increased from 68% to 74%, with many high-income countries achieving universal access. Despite these developments, other data show that many nations are far from reaching this goal.
The Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, Pedro Arrojo Agudo, urged for a shift in the international community’s approach to global water governance. “Water must be governed as a common good, accessible to all but not appropriable by anyone.”, he stated. Similarly, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay commented: "If we want to preserve peace, we must act swiftly not only to safeguard water resources but also to enhance regional and global cooperation in this area."
Official Sources:
OHCHR (2025) About water and sanitation. OHCHR and the right to water and sanitation https://www.ohchr.org/en/water-and-sanitation/about-water-and-sanitation
OHCHR (2025) UN expert demands global action to democratise water governance and protect human rights https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/10/un-expert-demands-global-action-democratise-water-governance-and-protect
UNESCO (2024) Water crises threaten world peace (report) https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/water-crises-threaten-world-peace-report
UNICEF (2025) Drinking water https://data.unicef.org/topic/water-and-sanitation/drinking-water/
World Health Organization (2025) 1 in 4 people globally still lack access to safe drinking water - WHO, UNICEF https://www.who.int/news/item/26-08-2025-1-in-4-people-globally-still-lack-access-to-safe-drinking-water---who--unicef
WWF (2025) Water scarcity https://www.worldwildlife.org/our-work/freshwater/water-scarcity/
written by Ludovica Muncibì
Comments