Proportion of population practising open defecation (Sanitation) in India
India: Proportion of population practising open defecation was 6.73 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Proportion of population practising open defecation in India, 2000–2024
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for proportion of population practising open defecation in India is 6.73, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 25 years on record.
That represents a change of down 25.5% on the previous year and down 79.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, proportion of population practising open defecation in India peaked at 73.15 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 6.73, in 2024.
That places India 43rd out of 231 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Proportion of population practising open defecation in India, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 73.15 | — |
| 2001 | 70.26 | -4.0% |
| 2002 | 67.34 | -4.2% |
| 2003 | 64.42 | -4.3% |
| 2004 | 61.53 | -4.5% |
| 2005 | 58.64 | -4.7% |
| 2006 | 55.77 | -4.9% |
| 2007 | 52.92 | -5.1% |
| 2008 | 50.07 | -5.4% |
| 2009 | 47.25 | -5.6% |
| 2010 | 44.43 | -6.0% |
| 2011 | 41.64 | -6.3% |
| 2012 | 38.85 | -6.7% |
| 2013 | 36.07 | -7.1% |
| 2014 | 33.31 | -7.7% |
| 2015 | 30.56 | -8.3% |
| 2016 | 27.83 | -8.9% |
| 2017 | 25.11 | -9.8% |
| 2018 | 22.4 | -10.8% |
| 2019 | 19.71 | -12.0% |
| 2020 | 17.01 | -13.7% |
| 2021 | 14.32 | -15.8% |
| 2022 | 11.66 | -18.6% |
| 2023 | 9.04 | -22.5% |
| 2024 | 6.73 | -25.5% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 6.73 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 6.74, 100% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 60.13 | 47.25 | 73.15 | 10 |
| 2010s | 31.99 | 19.71 | 44.43 | 10 |
| 2020s | 11.75 | 6.73 | 17.01 | 5 |
Countries ranked near India
More population data for India
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 1.67 million Persons (2050)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.4607 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.5076 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.2494 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.5076 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.5% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 66.77 million people (2100)
- Population density 506.27 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.5% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.7604 % change on previous year (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is proportion of population practising open defecation in India?
- Proportion of population practising open defecation in India was 6.73 in 2024, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest proportion of population practising open defecation recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 73.15 in 2000.
- What is the lowest proportion of population practising open defecation recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.73 in 2024.
- How does India rank for proportion of population practising open defecation?
- India ranks 43rd out of 231 countries with data for 2024.
- Is proportion of population practising open defecation rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 79.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Proportion of population practising open defecation (Sanitation). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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