Share of population not using improved drinking water sources in United States
United States: Share of population not using improved drinking water sources was 0.0% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Share of population not using improved drinking water sources in United States, 2005–2024
Source: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, share of population not using improved drinking water sources in United States stood at 0.0%.
The figure is up 0.3% on the previous year and down 97.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population not using improved drinking water sources in United States peaked at 1.1% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 2023.
That places United States 179th out of 231 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 5 |
| 2010s | 0.6% | 0.3% | 1.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.2% | 5 |
Countries ranked near United States
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More environment data for United States
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF 5,913 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita 17.39 t CO2e/capita (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture 257.35 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) 9.47 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) 418.87 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) 1.54 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF 843.36 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Power Industry (Energy) 2 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) 3.59 Mt CO2e (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste 149.52 Mt CO2e (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population not using improved drinking water sources in United States?
- Share of population not using improved drinking water sources in United States was 0.0% in 2024, according to WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population not using improved drinking water sources recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 1.1% in 2005.
- What is the lowest share of population not using improved drinking water sources recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 2023.
- How does United States rank for share of population not using improved drinking water sources?
- United States ranks 179th out of 231 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of population not using improved drinking water sources rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 97.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population not using improved drinking water sources. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Proportion of people not using improved drinking water sources. These people might use surface water sources or unprotected springs or wells, as no safe and reliable improved drinking water source is available to them.