Global Water Access and Quality 2024: Country Rankings and Water Challenges

Water, the very foundation of life, is a resource that millions worldwide are struggling to access safely. As of 2024, the global water crisis persists, driven by factors such as population growth, climate change, and poor water management. 

It is our collective responsibility to address this crisis and ensure safe water for all. While some countries can safely boast of near-universal coverage, others need help to provide basic water services to large portions of their populations.

This comprehensive analysis will examine the current state of global water access and quality, underscoring key challenges and ranking countries based on various water-related metrics.

We combine and compare data from the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) from Yale University, the World Bank, the World Population Review, UNESCO and UN-Water.

The methodology involved a comparative approach, focusing on disparities between nations and identifying key challenges in water management. 

Water quality shows a stark contrast from one country to another. In some places, you can drink the water straight from a mountain stream; in others, it wouldn't be safe even when treated. 

And in those places where the quality of water itself is a problem, you see much more pronounced poverty. 

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) provides a comprehensive assessment of water quality worldwide on a scale from 0 to 100, which represents the condition of their water quality. The EPI assesses the quality of water by calculating the "DALY rate," which means the number of disability-adjusted life years lost per 100,000 individuals due to exposure to contaminated drinking water.

The disability-adjusted life years lost simply here mean someone acquires a waterborne disease at the age of 30 as a result of consuming contaminated drinking water. This disease results in them experiencing decreased health for five years before causing them to pass away ten years sooner than anticipated. In this instance:

In other words, the person lost 15 years of healthy life due to contaminated water. By using DALYs, the EPI can measure both the deaths and the poor quality of life caused by water-related health issues. This shows a more complete picture of the overall health effects of bad water.

While water quality issues affect many nations, the severity varies significantly across the globe. 

The ranking is a mixture of nations globally in terms of water quality, which shows countries are taking the health of their citizens seriously. The United States, for example, is the champion of clean water, with a perfect 100 score for water quality. Italy and Singapore are close behind. But in countries like Niger and Chad, water quality is a severe problem.

Water quality makes a very loud statement about the difference between developed and underdeveloped countries. The developed world generally enjoys a good standard of maintenance and a manageable set of regulations that keep water clean. 

Most of the poor places that have water problems either need to pay more attention to upkeep because of a lack of money or have too many people living in a part of the water system that can't handle the load. 

Water, in its pure form, is essential for drinking, agriculture, and industrial activities. Across our globe, this invaluable water is distributed sparingly. Some nations enjoy a generous supply while others grapple with a significant lack.

Nations like Canada, Russia, and Brazil are blessed with vast amounts of water resources. However, several Middle Eastern and North African territories need drastic shortfalls.

According to World Bank data, Brazil is among the top, with 5.7 cubic meters (m³) available to each individual every year; Russia follows closely behind at 4.3 cubic meters (m³), and Canada has 2.9 cubic meters (m³). On the flip side lies Qatar, where merely 56 cubic meters can be allotted per inhabitant annually. This starkly underscores the severe strain on water access in specific locales.

The ever-shifting climate patterns bring more obstacles to ensuring sufficient water is accessible worldwide. Rainfall habits morphing unpredictably, and ice sheets dissolving alongside increasing heatwaves transform known sources into uncertain supplies that complicate planning for those managing our most critical resource.

Clean, safe drinking water is essential to the public's health and should be a basic human right.  In most developed and industrialised countries, the right to safe water is taken for granted; it is something we rarely think about. 

However, across the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme) says that people still lack access to safely managed drinking water services worldwide. A recent study reveals that 4.4 billion people in low and middle-income countries lack access to safe drinking water, more than double previous estimates. 

The disparity in access to safe drinking water is stark when comparing different nations:

Sub-Saharan Africa faces severe challenges, with only 31.99% of the population having access to clean water. While there has been a slight increase in access over the years, progress still needs to be faster.

When the thirst for water surpasses what nature can provide, that's when water stress takes centre stage. Some countries across the globe need help with this challenge, often fueled by scant resources, crowded populations, and fervent farming or manufacturing activities. The issue is pervasive and pressing.

Besides, countries that find themselves in this range of thirst intensity are classified by the World Resources Institute (WRI). Their tool, “Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas”, offers fresh insights into these pressing challenges worldwide. This platform serves as an invaluable resource for understanding where strain on water supplies looms largest.

Countries that experience this often withdraw about 80% of their available freshwater resources annually. 

On the flip side, countries like Papua New Guinea, Iceland, Sierra Leone and Rwanda have plenty of water compared to what they use.

The story of water stress is intertwined with changing climates, increasing human populations, and developing methods of managing this valuable resource. Keeping tabs on developments and ensuring data stays fresh are key to painting an accurate picture and finding feasible ways forward to address such matters efficiently.

Water scarcity stands as a pressing concern all over the world, affecting both developing and developed nations. 

Countries dealing with water shortages are confronted with complex problems. The 2024 UN-Water evaluation reveals that global climate changes are profoundly affecting water movement patterns, resulting in more frequent and intense dry periods. For nations with scarce water resources, this means increasingly unpredictable and diminished water supplies.

Multiple factors contribute to this crisis:

The financial repercussions of limited water access are significant. The WRI estimates that some regions could see their GDP decline by up to 6% by 2050 due to water-related losses. This pinpoints the pressing requirement for these countries to tackle such hurdles effectively.

The same can be said about many other parts of the world as it has pressing issues, particularly in Asia and Africa, where population growth and upstream dam projects are exacerbating the problem.

In South Asia, India faces a significant challenge, with 18% of the global population but access to only 4% of the planet's freshwater resources. Neighbouring Pakistan, while making some progress in water management, still struggles with water stress, according to experts.

The situation is equally concerning in the Middle East and North Africa. Egypt, heavily dependent on the Nile River, is increasingly threatened by dam projects upstream. Similarly, Iraq is grappling with water shortages due to dams constructed in neighbouring countries.

Even the most advanced nations are free of these difficulties. Even advanced nations also face water challenges. In the United States, western areas, especially California, are experiencing considerable water scarcity. 

In April 2024, California's State Water Project allocation rose from 40% to 30%, showing some progress but still underlines persistent water issues in the area. Australia continues to face ongoing challenges with repeated droughts and the effects of climate change. Water scarcity is a common occurrence in the southern regions of Spain.

Countries need to collaborate more in order to discover viable strategies for managing and conserving water sustainably.

Shared waters don't recognise human boundaries, often traversing through multiple nations. Collaborating on cross-border water management is vital for mutual benefit.

Initiatives like the Nile Basin Cooperation strive to guarantee equitable distribution among nations with common water sources. According to the Global Risks Survey by the World Economic Forum for 2024, "depletion of natural resources" ranks as a top concern in the coming years.

However, tackling the worldwide water crisis calls for diverse strategies and actions.

Investing in water systems and oversight can bring significant financial gains. The United Nations estimates that for every £1 invested in clean water and hygiene, there’s a £4.30 gain from boosted efficiency and lower medical expenses.

Moreover, not having enough clean water leads to serious health issues. Illnesses spread by dirty water result in roughly 485,000 deaths from diarrhoea each year, primarily impacting young kids in poorer nations.

Solving worldwide water problems also means changing the way people and companies treat this vital resource. Campaigns can inform the public about more effective home water meters that reduce water bills and waste. Another way to cut back on water waste is through water farming methods like rainwater collection.

The category of Sanitation & Drinking Water assesses the extent to which nations safeguard health by addressing hazards focusing on two key indicators. The safety of drinking water and sanitation facilities. 

In the global scene, the water dilemma is a tough puzzle needing swift teamwork. While there's progress exists in some places, millions still face the hurdle of reaching clean water. The pressure on this vital resource keeps mounting across various areas. Tackling these hurdles calls for inventive technology, policy changes, and worldwide teamwork.

When we look at how we've been managing our planet's water this 2024, it's clear that having enough water is a big deal. It's connected to things like long-term growth, healthy communities, and even political stability.

By focusing on improving how people get their share of safe water and its purity, we aim for a fairer future where everyone stands strong together.