Children fill containers with water from a communal foot-activated pump, in the village of Kiendi-Walogo, Zanzan Region. A reflection of two children is in the closest water bowl.

3 Numbers to Consider on World Water Day

Four years ago, the world met its global target for safe drinking water, which it had set as part of the Millennium Development Goals. Yet today, 663 million people still don't have access to clean water.

As we mark World Water Day, here are three numbers to consider.

Nearly 1,000 children

die every day from diarrheal diseases linked to the lack of safe water and adequate sanitation and hygiene.

10 countries 

account for two-thirds of the global population without access to safe water.

  • China (108 million)
  • India (99 million)
  • Nigeria (63 million)
  • Ethiopia (43 million)
  • Indonesia (39 million)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo (37 million)
  • Bangladesh (26 million)
  • Tanzania (22 million)
  • Kenya (16 million)
  • Pakistan (16 million)

71% of the burden 

of fetching drinking water is borne by women and girls, keeping them away from work and school. You can help. Check out the

UNICEF Tap Project or learn more about UNICEF's programs on water, sanitation and hygiene.

UNICEF Tap Project