Access to basic handwashing facilities in urban vs. rural areas in South Africa
South Africa: Access to basic handwashing facilities in urban vs. rural areas was 52.6% in 2020. ▬ Flat
Access to basic handwashing facilities in urban vs. rural areas in South Africa, 2012–2020
Source: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2020, access to basic handwashing facilities in urban vs. rural areas in South Africa stood at 52.6%. That is the highest value across all 9 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is unchanged over ten years.
Over the whole period, access to basic handwashing facilities in urban vs. rural areas in South Africa peaked at 52.6% in 2012 and was at its lowest, 52.6%, in 2012.
South Africa ranks 75th of 113 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Access to basic handwashing facilities in urban vs. rural areas in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 52.6% | — |
| 2013 | 52.6% | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 52.6% | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 52.6% | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 52.6% | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 52.6% | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 52.6% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 52.6% | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 52.6% | +0.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 52.6% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 93.0%, 56% of the median. (42 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 52.6% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 33.3%, 1.6× the median. (43 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 52.6% | 52.6% | 52.6% | 8 |
| 2020s | 52.6% | 52.6% | 52.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More reference data data for South Africa
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5111 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7468 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 41.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 63.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.07 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is access to basic handwashing facilities in urban vs. rural areas in South Africa?
- Access to basic handwashing facilities in urban vs. rural areas in South Africa was 52.6% in 2020, according to WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest access to basic handwashing facilities in urban vs. rural areas recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 52.6% in 2012.
- What is the lowest access to basic handwashing facilities in urban vs. rural areas recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 52.6% in 2012.
- How does South Africa rank for access to basic handwashing facilities in urban vs. rural areas?
- South Africa ranks 75th out of 113 countries with data for 2020.
- Is access to basic handwashing facilities in urban vs. rural areas rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa 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 Access to basic handwashing facilities in urban vs. rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Proportion of people with access to a handwashing facility with soap and water available at home.