The Economic Cost of Poor Water and Sanitation

A 2012 study prepared for WHO estimated annual global economic losses from inadequate water supply and sanitation at US$260 billion—about 1.5% of the GDP of the countries included in its analysis. This is a modeled estimate of health and time-related impacts, not an exact yearly tally of actual spending limited to developing countries. It should be read as an estimate for that period, not as a current-dollar figure.