The WHO defines as access to safe drinking water with some form of improved water supply (i.e., household connection to the network, public standpipe, borehole, protected dug well, protected spring, rainwater collection).
For more information on water access, also see this link.
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World countries most disadvantaged in terms of access to improved drinking water 2015
This statistic illustrates the ranking of the twenty countries in the world with the lowest share of the population having access to improved sources of drinking water supply in 2015. It can be observed that in that year, South Korea was among the most disadvantaged countries in terms of access to improved quality drinking water. Only 40 percent of the country's population had access to an improved drinking water supply point in 2015.
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WHO. (May 19, 2016). Ranking of countries worldwide with the lowest share of the population having access to improved drinking water supply sources in 2015 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 24, 2026, from /statistics/1642348/ranking-countries-world-lowest-share-population-access-improved-drinking-water-supply/
WHO. "Ranking of countries worldwide with the lowest share of the population having access to improved drinking water supply sources in 2015." Chart. May 19, 2016. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 24, 2026. /statistics/1642348/ranking-countries-world-lowest-share-population-access-improved-drinking-water-supply/
WHO. (2016). Ranking of countries worldwide with the lowest share of the population having access to improved drinking water supply sources in 2015. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 24, 2026. /statistics/1642348/ranking-countries-world-lowest-share-population-access-improved-drinking-water-supply/
WHO. "Ranking of Countries Worldwide with The Lowest Share of The Population Having Access to Improved Drinking Water Supply Sources in 2015." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 19 May 2016, /statistics/1642348/ranking-countries-world-lowest-share-population-access-improved-drinking-water-supply/
WHO, Ranking of countries worldwide with the lowest share of the population having access to improved drinking water supply sources in 2015 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1642348/ranking-countries-world-lowest-share-population-access-improved-drinking-water-supply/ (last visited July 24, 2026)
Ranking of countries worldwide with the lowest share of the population having access to improved drinking water supply sources in 2015 [Graph], WHO, May 19, 2016. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1642348/ranking-countries-world-lowest-share-population-access-improved-drinking-water-supply/
