People using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of) in South Africa

South Africa: People using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of) was 81.4% in 2017. ▬ Flat

Latest (2017)
81.4%
Change on year
up 0.2%
World rank
46th
of 97 countries
All-time high
81.4%
in 2017
All-time low
78.4%
in 2000
Years of data
18
2000–2017

People using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of) in South Africa, 2000–2017

0204060802000200820172000: 78.42001: 78.42002: 78.62003: 78.72004: 78.92005: 79.12006: 79.32007: 79.52008: 79.72009: 79.92010: 80.12011: 80.32012: 80.52013: 80.72014: 80.92015: 812016: 81.22017: 81.4

Source: WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (washdata.org).

Analysis

The most recent figure for people using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of) in South Africa is 81.4%, measured in 2017. That is the highest value across all 18 years on record.

The figure is up 0.2% on the previous year and up 2.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, people using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of) in South Africa peaked at 81.4% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 78.4%, in 2000.

South Africa ranks 46th of 97 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

People using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of) in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for People using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of rural population): Q3 in South Africa, 2000 to 2017.
Year Value Change
2000 78.4%
2001 78.4% +0.0%
2002 78.6% +0.2%
2003 78.7% +0.2%
2004 78.9% +0.2%
2005 79.1% +0.2%
2006 79.3% +0.2%
2007 79.5% +0.2%
2008 79.7% +0.2%
2009 79.9% +0.2%
2010 80.1% +0.2%
2011 80.3% +0.2%
2012 80.5% +0.2%
2013 80.7% +0.2%
2014 80.9% +0.2%
2015 81.0% +0.2%
2016 81.2% +0.2%
2017 81.4% +0.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 79.1% 78.4% 79.9% 10
2010s 80.8% 80.1% 81.4% 8

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 43 Tunisia 86.0% compare
  2. 44 Indonesia 85.3% compare
  3. 45 Comoros 83.5% compare
  4. 47 Republic of Moldova 79.7% compare
  5. 48 Sao Tome and Principe 79.1% compare
  6. 49 Peru 78.8% compare

See the full ranking of 97 places →

More health data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is people using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of) in South Africa?
People using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of) in South Africa was 81.4% in 2017, according to WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (washdata.org).
What is the highest people using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of) recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 81.4% in 2017.
What is the lowest people using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of) recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 78.4% in 2000.
How does South Africa rank for people using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of)?
South Africa ranks 46th out of 97 countries with data for 2017.
Is people using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of) rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 2.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (washdata.org), published as part of People using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of rural population): Q3. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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People using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of) in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (washdata.org). Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/people-using-at-least-basic-drinking-water-services-rural-percent-of-rural-population-q3/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
People using at least basic drinking water services, rural (% of rural population): Q3
Source
WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (washdata.org)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
97 places, 1,663 data points, 2000–2017
Last refreshed