Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Canada
Canada: Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities was 1.4% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Canada, 2000–2024
Source: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Canada is 1.4%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is up 71.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Canada peaked at 1.4% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.1%, in 2004.
That places Canada 120th out of 232 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Canada, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0.1% | — |
| 2001 | 0.1% | -1.6% |
| 2002 | 0.1% | -0.4% |
| 2003 | 0.1% | -0.4% |
| 2004 | 0.1% | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 0.1% | +4.9% |
| 2006 | 0.2% | +15.4% |
| 2007 | 0.2% | +52.4% |
| 2008 | 0.3% | +34.5% |
| 2009 | 0.4% | +25.7% |
| 2010 | 0.5% | +20.5% |
| 2011 | 0.6% | +17.1% |
| 2012 | 0.7% | +14.7% |
| 2013 | 0.7% | +12.8% |
| 2014 | 0.8% | +11.4% |
| 2015 | 0.9% | +10.2% |
| 2016 | 1.0% | +9.3% |
| 2017 | 1.1% | +8.5% |
| 2018 | 1.2% | +7.8% |
| 2019 | 1.2% | +7.3% |
| 2020 | 1.3% | +6.8% |
| 2021 | 1.4% | +6.4% |
| 2022 | 1.4% | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 1.4% | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 1.4% | +0.0% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 1.4% is above the median for high income countries, which is 0.1%, 24.2× the median. (85 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.2% | 0.1% | 0.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.9% | 0.5% | 1.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.4% | 1.3% | 1.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More reference data data for Canada
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 2.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 3.92 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 20.47 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.92 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 20.47 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 6.86 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 7.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 22.03 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 99.83 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 15.88 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Canada?
- Share of population not using improved sanitation facilities in Canada was 1.4% 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 sanitation facilities recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 1.4% in 2024.
- What is the lowest share of population not using improved sanitation facilities recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.1% in 2004.
- How does Canada rank for share of population not using improved sanitation facilities?
- Canada ranks 120th out of 232 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of population not using improved sanitation facilities rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 71.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada 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 sanitation facilities. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
If no improved sanitation facility is available, people might practice open defecation or use unimproved sanitation facilities.