The proportion of the world’s population using improved sanitation facilities increased from 54 per cent in 1990 to 61 per cent in 2008 – a rate of increase that is not nearly fast enough to meet the MDG sanitation target by 2015. There is, moreover, a vast disparity in the use of improved sanitation between urban areas (68 per cent) and rural areas (40 per cent) in developing countries.¹

The incidence of open defecation, the riskiest sanitation practice, declined from 25 per cent in 1990 to 17 per cent in 2008 – but that still leaves 1.1 billion people practising open defecation. South Asia accounts for almost two thirds of the global population practising open defecation.

Equity remains elusive in this sector, and progress for the poorest is lagging. In several countries – including Benin, Burkina Faso, India and Nepal – 95 per cent or more of the poorest people practise open defecation, and progress in sanitation coverage for the poorest 40 per cent has been minimal since 1995.

Sub-Saharan Africa has made the least progress: Only 31 per cent of the population uses improved sanitation facilities. The richest 20 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa are five times more likely to use improved facilities than the poorest 20 per cent.

¹ Improved sanitation facilities include facilities with sewer connections, septic system connections, pour-flush latrines, ventilated improved pit latrines, pit latrines with a slab or covered pit.