Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in United States
United States: Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation was 99.9% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in United States, 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 urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in United States is 99.9%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 25 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in United States peaked at 99.9% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 99.8%, in 2000.
United States ranks 23rd of 186 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in United States, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 99.8% | — |
| 2001 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 99.8% | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 99.9% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 99.9% | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 99.9% | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 99.9% | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 99.9% | +0.0% |
| 2023 | 99.9% | +0.0% |
| 2024 | 99.9% | +0.0% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 99.9% is above the median for high income countries, which is 99.0%, 1.0× the median. (59 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 99.8% | 99.8% | 99.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 99.8% | 99.8% | 99.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% | 5 |
Countries ranked near United States
More population data for United States
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.0241 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1369 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.8 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1369 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.1% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 19.91 million people (2100)
- Population density 46.05 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.1% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate 0.1565 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.4762 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in United States?
- Share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation in United States was 99.9% 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 urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 99.9% in 2023.
- What is the lowest share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 99.8% in 2000.
- How does United States rank for share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation?
- United States ranks 23rd out of 186 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this United States 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 urban vs. rural population using at least basic sanitation. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Proportion of people using improved sanitation facilities, such as toilets or latrines, that are not shared with other households.