Rural population without basic handwashing facilities in South Africa
South Africa: Rural population without basic handwashing facilities was 14.34 million people in 2020. ▬ Flat
Rural population without basic handwashing facilities 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 people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for rural population without basic handwashing facilities in South Africa is 14.34 million people, measured in 2020.
That represents a change of up 0.1% on the previous year and up 0.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, rural population without basic handwashing facilities in South Africa peaked at 14.47 million people in 2015 and was at its lowest, 14.27 million people, in 2017.
South Africa ranks 17th of 113 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 14.35 million people | 14.27 million people | 14.47 million people | 8 |
| 2020s | 14.34 million people | 14.34 million people | 14.34 million people | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 14 Madagascar 15.94 million people compare
- 15 Afghanistan 15.86 million people compare
- 16 Malawi 15.42 million people compare
- 18 Cote d'Ivoire 13.15 million people compare
- 19 Burkina Faso 12.42 million people compare
- 20 Chad 11.66 million people compare
More reference data data for South Africa
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.191 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 1.36 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.6318 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 1.18 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.2153 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 209.92 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is rural population without basic handwashing facilities in South Africa?
- Rural population without basic handwashing facilities in South Africa was 14.34 million people 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 rural population without basic handwashing facilities recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 14.47 million people in 2015.
- What is the lowest rural population without basic handwashing facilities recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 14.27 million people in 2017.
- How does South Africa rank for rural population without basic handwashing facilities?
- South Africa ranks 17th out of 113 countries with data for 2020.
- Is rural population without basic handwashing facilities rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.1%. 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 Rural population without basic handwashing facilities. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
People without access to a handwashing facility with soap and water available at home.