SDG 6: Targets and Indicators

Goal 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all

Target 6.1 By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

  • Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services

Target 6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations

  • Indicator 6.2.1: Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water

Target 6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally

  • Indicator 6.3.1: Proportion of wastewater safely treated
  • Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

Target 6.4 By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

  • Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time
  • Indicator 6.4.2: Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

Target 6.5 By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

  • Indicator 6.5.1: Degree of integrated water resources management implementation (0-100)
  • Indicator 6.5.2: Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation

Target 6.6 By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes

  • Indicator 6.6.1: Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time

Target 6.A By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies

  • Indicator 6.A.1: Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan

Target 6.B Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

  • Indicator 6.B.1: Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management

Where to find data?

The SDG 6 Data Portal brings together data on all the SDG 6 global indicators and other key social, economic and environmental parameters. Through maps, charts and tables, the Portal offers tailored options for visualization and analysis of the data, including on interlinkages.

The Portal is a flagship product of UN-Water’s Integrated Monitoring Initiative for SDG 6 and complements the Global SDG Indicators Database and indicator-specific databases by offering in-depth information across all SDG 6 indicators, as well as tailor-made analytical and visualization tools, all in one place.

The objectives of the Portal are to:

  • track overall progress towards SDG 6 at global, regional and national levels.
  • enable assessment and analysis of the state of water resources and linkages to other sectors.
  • raise awareness of water and sanitation issues to help catalyze action.
  • encourage and improve SDG 6 monitoring and reporting at all levels.
  • be an entry point to the wealth of water and sanitation information available within the UN system.