The World Bank has warned that nearly two in five people worldwide lack access to safe sanitation, a crisis with serious consequences for public health, economic growth, and the environment.
In a report titled “The Global Sanitation Crisis: Pathways for Urgent Action”, released on Tuesday, the Bank highlighted that Africa alone loses up to $200 billion annually due to poor sanitation. The continent’s GDP could increase by up to 5 percent with sufficient investment in water and sanitation services.
Globally, around 3.5 billion people still lack safe sanitation facilities, contributing to preventable diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, and typhoid, which collectively cause hundreds of thousands of deaths each year, particularly among children under five.
In Africa, rapid urbanisation, poverty, and weak infrastructure exacerbate the problem. Informal settlements often lack proper sewage systems, forcing residents to rely on unsafe alternatives that contaminate water sources.
The World Health Organization has emphasized that inadequate sanitation not only spreads disease but also limits economic productivity by keeping children out of school and adults away from work.
The World Bank report warned that low- and middle-income countries face the heaviest burdens. Climate-related threats, including floods, droughts, and rising sea levels, are placing additional strain on fragile sanitation systems, further hampering economic growth.
Investing in sanitation, the report notes, has significant economic and social benefits. Every $1 spent in Africa can yield $7 in returns, potentially boosting GDP by 5 percent and generating $200 billion in annual economic gains. Improved sanitation also protects the environment, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and promotes cleaner drinking water.
The report highlighted links between sanitation and education. In India, school latrines designed for girls increased enrollment and retention, while in Brazil, improved facilities contributed to higher school completion rates.
The World Bank called for urgent, coordinated action. Governments, cities, service providers, and communities are urged to prioritise sanitation funding, design inclusive and climate-resilient infrastructure, support technological innovation, and train personnel to manage new systems effectively.
“Achieving climate-resilient urban sanitation is possible, but action must start now,” the report concluded. “Together, governments, service providers, businesses, and communities can build sanitation systems that protect people, prosperity, and our planet.”
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