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Top Countries with the Lowest Access to Basic Sanitation in 2025
1. South Sudan and Papua New Guinea: Struggling for Basic Sanitation
South Sudan ranks the lowest globally, with only 17% of its population having access to basic toilet facilities. Just slightly better, at 19%, is Papua New Guinea. These numbers highlight ongoing challenges in establishing reliable sanitation infrastructure in these nations, where conflict and geographic hurdles continue to impede progress.
2. Mozambique, Mali, and Ethiopia: Less Than a Third Have Access
Mozambique (21%), Mali (27%), and Ethiopia (28%) are among African nations with alarmingly low sanitation access. Limited infrastructure, poverty, and rural populations heavily influence these statistics, leaving many communities vulnerable to health issues linked to poor sanitation.
3. Conflicts and Hardship Embody Countries like Somalia and Central African Republic
Somalia (29%) and the Central African Republic (35%) face compounded issues of internal conflict and economic instability, significantly hampering efforts to improve sanitation services.
4. Yemen and Nigeria: Widespread Desperation Meets Political Challenges
Yemen, affected by ongoing conflict, has only 38% coverage, while Nigeria stands at 39%. Both nations witness stark disparities, with rural areas often faring worse than urban centers.
5. Limited Sanitation in Sudan, Afghanistan, and Liberia
Sudan (36%), Afghanistan (41%), and Liberia (44%) showcase the widening sanitation gap, especially in fragile states and conflict zones, emphasizing urgent priorities for international aid and development.
6. The Bottom of the Scale: Countries With Less Than 50% Access
Many nations, such as Burundi (41%), Mauritania (45%), and Sierra Leone (52%), struggle with sanitation, directly affecting public health and quality of life. These nations often contend with poor infrastructure, lack of education, and inadequate funding.
7. Countries Improving but Still Facing Challenges
While some nations like Timor-Leste (53%) and Kenya (54%) have made progress, they still lack full coverage, illustrating the global unevenness in sanitation development.
8. Asia and Africa: Regions with Diverging Sanitation Access
In Africa, countries like Nigeria (39%) and Niger (56%) lag significantly behind nations like South Africa (75%). Similarly, many Asian countries such as Nepal (60%) and Bangladesh (64%) face their own unique hurdles, often linked to population density and economic constraints.
9. Countries Achieving Near-Universal Access: A Sign of Progress
On the other end, developed nations like Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE boast 100% sanitation access, reflecting advanced infrastructure, consistent government investment, and effective health policies.
10. Global Progress and Persistent Gaps in 2025
While the overall trend demonstrates remarkable improvement over decades, the persistent disparities emphasize the need for targeted efforts and investments in underserved regions to ensure health equity.
Conclusion
The data from WHO/UNICEF JMP 2023 underscores that despite worldwide progress, millions remain without basic sanitation. Addressing these inequalities is crucial for improving health, reducing poverty, and fostering sustainable development globally. Continued international cooperation, innovation, and localized solutions are vital to raising sanitation standards in the most affected regions.
Note: Data is sourced from WHO/UNICEF JMP 2023.
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