THE IMPACT
Water Scarcity and Economic Growth
Water Facts
$260 billion is lost globally each year due to lack of safe water and sanitation..
Universal access to safe water and sanitation would result in $18.5 billion in economic benefits each year from deaths avoided alone.
Universal access to safe water and sanitation would result in $32 billion in economic benefits each year from reductions in health care costs and increased productivity from reduced illness.
Time spent gathering water around the world translates to $24 billion in lost economic benefits each year.
Annual aid for water and sanitation amounts to only US $8 billion--far short of the $1 trillion needed to solve this crisis and maintain it long term.
The cost of water in many developing countries is 5-10 times higher than in most other countries.
Research has shown that for every 10% increase in women's literacy, a country's whole economy can grow by up to 0.3%.
According to the World Health Organization, for every $1 invested in water and sanitation, there is an economic return of between $3 and $34
The United Nations estimates that Sub-Saharan Africa alone loses 40 billion hours per year collecting water; the same as an entire year's labor in all of France!
Access to credit plays a significant role in triggering household sanitation investments, increasing health and providing families the dignity of a toilet
