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MYWATR
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Continent report

Africa

16 countries across 5 sub-regions.

Eastern AfricaWestern AfricaNorthern AfricaMiddle AfricaSouthern Africa
2000·2010···2020·2025
Population0356.6M urban · 318.0M rural
At least basic water0.0%16 countries · 2020
At least basic sanitation0.0%Population weighted
Basic hygiene0.0%Handwashing with soap & water

Basic · Water · National

Africa · 2020 · view: map

LowHigh· Basic
KENETHTZAUGARWANGAGHASENMLIEGYMARCODCMRZAFNAMBWA
Service trends
0255075100200020052010201220152018202020222025Water · basic · 2000: 30%Water · basic · 2005: 29.5%Water · basic · 2010: 29.1%Water · basic · 2012: 28.9%Water · basic · 2015: 28.5%Water · basic · 2018: 28.1%Water · basic · 2020: 27.8%Water · basic · 2022: 27.5%Water · basic · 2025: 27.1%Sanitation · basic · 2000: 28.6%Sanitation · basic · 2005: 28.3%Sanitation · basic · 2010: 28%Sanitation · basic · 2012: 28%Sanitation · basic · 2015: 27.6%Sanitation · basic · 2018: 27.4%Sanitation · basic · 2020: 27.1%Sanitation · basic · 2022: 26.9%Sanitation · basic · 2025: 26.6%Hygiene · basic · 2000: 32.5%Hygiene · basic · 2005: 35.3%Hygiene · basic · 2010: 38%Hygiene · basic · 2012: 39%Hygiene · basic · 2015: 40.8%Hygiene · basic · 2018: 42.5%Hygiene · basic · 2020: 43.4%Hygiene · basic · 2022: 45%Hygiene · basic · 2025: 46.5%
  • Water · basic
  • Sanitation · basic
  • Hygiene · basic

Population-weighted, Africa. Demo data.

Urban vs rural gap
0%25%50%75%100%MaliRural: 30.7%Urban: 31.3%0.6 ppDR CongoRural: 29.6%Urban: 31.8%2.2 ppEthiopiaRural: 31%Urban: 31.1%0.1 ppUgandaRural: 32%Urban: 29.8%2.2 ppCameroonRural: 32.1%Urban: 29.5%2.6 ppNigeriaRural: 32.3%Urban: 29.1%3.2 ppTanzaniaRural: 32.4%Urban: 28.8%3.6 ppRwandaRural: 32.4%Urban: 27.6%4.8 pp
  • Urban
  • Rural

Percentage-point difference, at least basic service.

Water ladder

Africa · 2020 · National

35.1%
27.8%
14.9%
13.8%
8.5%

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Sanitation ladder

Africa · 2020 · National

29.1%
27.1%
15.4%
15.7%
12.8%

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Hygiene ladder

Africa · 2020 · National

43.4%
23.8%
32.8%

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Composition over time
Safely ManagedBasicLimitedUnimprovedSurface Water2000200520102012201520182020202220251000
  • Safely Managed
  • Basic
  • Limited
  • Unimproved
  • Surface Water

Stacked water service levels, population weighted.

Country cards

Sparklines show 2000–2025 for the selected indicator.