Millions of Children Lacked Basic School WASH Services
A 2025 global report revealed that hundreds of millions of students still lacked essential water and hygiene access.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Scholarships
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Should governments prioritize funding for basic school infrastructure over other public investments?
In 2025, hundreds of millions of school-age children globally lacked access to basic drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services at school. Despite incremental progress over the previous decade, the world remains off track to reach universal coverage by 2030.
Why it matters
Universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in schools is a critical component of the Sustainable Development Goals. Without significant acceleration in progress, millions of children will continue to face barriers to a healthy and safe learning environment.
In 2025, 429 million children lacked school drinking water, while 460 million and 545 million lacked basic sanitation and hygiene services respectively. Coverage for these services sits at 78, 77, and 72 percent, far from universal access.
The details
While global coverage for drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene increased between 2015 and 2025, low-income nations continue to lag behind. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected region, with millions of children lacking even basic facilities.
Timeline
Between 2015 and 2025, global school WASH coverage saw incremental growth.
Data collected in 2025 highlights the current deficit in service access.
The deadline for achieving universal access via Sustainable Development Goals is 2030.
Culture Shift
The current trajectory falls significantly short of the global standards set by the Sustainable Development Goals universal access mandate. This report highlights the growing gap between the stated international development targets and the reality of basic school infrastructure.
This data underscores a significant disparity in educational environments that impacts the health and attendance of millions of students globally. The push for basic services remains a focal point for organizations working to improve school infrastructure in the most underserved regions.
The takeaway
Achieving universal access requires a fourfold to fivefold increase in the current rate of progress for water, hygiene, and sanitation services. Addressing these gaps is essential to ensure children in low-income regions receive the same basic standards found in wealthier nations.
Further reading
For additional context on global educational support, visit the Scholarships section.
Live Poll
Should governments prioritize funding for basic school infrastructure over other public investments?
