South Africa vs Spain: People with access to at least basic drinking water
South Africa
57.73 million
in 2024
Spain
47.87 million
in 2024
South Africa rank
23rd
Spain rank
26th
People with access to at least basic drinking water over time
- South Africa
- Spain
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 57.73 million against 47.87 million in Spain, a difference of 9.85 million.
That makes South Africa's figure about 1.2 times Spain's.
The two have swapped places 3 times across 25 shared years of data; in 2000 it was Spain ahead.
South Africa ranks 23rd and Spain ranks 26th of 231 groups.
Across the 3 decades both report, South Africa averaged higher in 2 and Spain in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Africa | Spain | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 43.51 million | 43.68 million | 169,660 | Spain |
| 2010s | 51.31 million | 46.90 million | 4.41 million | South Africa |
| 2020s | 56.52 million | 47.78 million | 8.74 million | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher people with access to at least basic drinking water, South Africa or Spain?
- South Africa, at 57.73 million against 47.87 million in Spain as of 2024.
- What is the difference in people with access to at least basic drinking water between South Africa and Spain?
- 9.85 million, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and Spain?
- 25 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2024.
- How do South Africa and Spain rank globally for people with access to at least basic drinking water?
- South Africa ranks 23rd and Spain ranks 26th of 231 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as People with access to at least basic drinking water. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.