South Africa vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: People with access to at least basic drinking water

South Africa
57.73 million
in 2024
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
69.14 million
in 2024
South Africa rank
23rd
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank
20th

People with access to at least basic drinking water over time

  • South Africa
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
020.0M40.0M60.0M200020122024

How they compare

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland currently reports 69.14 million against 57.73 million in South Africa, a difference of 11.41 million.

That makes United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's figure about 1.2 times South Africa's.

Across all 25 years both countries report, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been ahead every year.

South Africa ranks 23rd and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 20th of 224 countries.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade South Africa United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Difference Ahead
2000s 43.51 million 60.56 million 17.05 million United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2010s 51.31 million 65.12 million 13.81 million United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2020s 56.52 million 68.20 million 11.69 million United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

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 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, at 69.14 million against 57.73 million in South Africa as of 2024.
What is the difference in people with access to at least basic drinking water between South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
11.41 million, with United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
25 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2024.
How do South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank globally for people with access to at least basic drinking water?
South Africa ranks 23rd and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 20th of 224 countries.
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.

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South Africa vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: People with access to at least basic drinking water. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 24 August 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/people-with-access-to-at-least-basic-drinking-water/south-africa/united-kingdom/

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<a href="https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/people-with-access-to-at-least-basic-drinking-water/south-africa/united-kingdom/">South Africa vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: People with access to at least basic drinking water</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator
People with access to at least basic drinking water
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
231 places, 5,586 data points, 2000–2024
Last refreshed