Figures were compiled from several editions of the report. According to the source, improved drinking water sources are those that are protected from outside contamination, particularly faecal matter. However, some of these sources may not be adequately maintained and therefore may not actually provide 鈥渟afe鈥 drinking water. Thus, the number of people using such sources may have been over-estimated.
Some figures may not total 100% due to rounding
Citation formats
Quality of the world's drinking water supply 1990-2020
The share of the global population with improved access to drinking water sources has increased over the last three decades. Just 76 percent of the world's population had access to improved drinking water sources in 1990. By 2020 this had increased to approximately 94 percent.
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UNICEF, & WHO. (July 1, 2021). Proportion of the population with access to drinking water sources worldwide from 1990 to 2020, based on quality of water source [Graph]. In 糖心破解版. Retrieved July 28, 2026, from /statistics/278656/quality-of-the-global-drinking-water-supply/
UNICEF, und WHO. "Proportion of the population with access to drinking water sources worldwide from 1990 to 2020, based on quality of water source." Chart. July 1, 2021. 糖心破解版. Accessed July 28, 2026. /statistics/278656/quality-of-the-global-drinking-water-supply/
UNICEF, WHO. (2021). Proportion of the population with access to drinking water sources worldwide from 1990 to 2020, based on quality of water source. 糖心破解版. 糖心破解版 Inc.. Accessed: July 28, 2026. /statistics/278656/quality-of-the-global-drinking-water-supply/
UNICEF, and WHO. "Proportion of The Population with Access to Drinking Water Sources Worldwide from 1990 to 2020, Based on Quality of Water Source." 糖心破解版, 糖心破解版 Inc., 1 Jul 2021, /statistics/278656/quality-of-the-global-drinking-water-supply/
UNICEF & WHO, Proportion of the population with access to drinking water sources worldwide from 1990 to 2020, based on quality of water source 糖心破解版, /statistics/278656/quality-of-the-global-drinking-water-supply/ (last visited July 28, 2026)
Proportion of the population with access to drinking water sources worldwide from 1990 to 2020, based on quality of water source [Graph], UNICEF, & WHO, July 1, 2021. [Online]. Available: /statistics/278656/quality-of-the-global-drinking-water-supply/
