Indicator 6.2.1 - Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water - Indicators For The Sustainable Development Goals

This internet browser is no longer supported

We have detected that you are using Internet Explorer to visit this website. Internet Explorer is now being phased out by Microsoft. As a result, this website no longer supports any version of Internet Explorer. Some features on this site will not work. You should use a modern browser such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. If you have difficulty installing or accessing a different browser, please contact your IT support team.

Alpha This is a development website. We welcome your feedback.

Download headline data (.csv) Download source data (.csv)

Download source data for disaggregations (.csv)

Headline data

Proportion of population using (a) improved sanitation facilities and (b) basic handwashing facilities
Year	Value	GeoCode	UNIT_MEASURE	SERIES
2000	51.5		Percent	Percentage of households using improved sanitation [6.2.1]
2005	58.5		Percent	Percentage of households using improved sanitation [6.2.1]
2011	74.5		Percent	Percentage of households using improved sanitation [6.2.1]
2014	83.4		Percent	Percentage of households using improved sanitation [6.2.1]
2017	86.2		Percent	Percentage of households using improved sanitation [6.2.1]
2021	89.6		Percent	Percentage of households using improved sanitation [6.2.1]
2024	94.3		Percent	Percentage of households using improved sanitation [6.2.1]
2010	2.1		Percent	Percentage of population with basic handwashing facilities on premises
2015	4.3		Percent	Percentage of population with basic handwashing facilities on premises
2019	25.1		Percent	Percentage of population with basic handwashing facilities on premises

Source: National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR)

Geographical Area: Rwanda

Unit of Measurement: Percentage (%)

This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Rwanda statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Rwandan statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Rwandan-specific metadata information.

Indicator available	a. Percentage of households using improved sanitation facilities. b. Percentage of the de jure population with a basic handwashing facility.
Indicator description	This indicator measures two key series related to sanitation and hygiene facilities - the presence of improved sanitation facilities and basic handwashing facilities with soap and water.
Geographical coverage	Rwanda
Unit of measurement	Percentage (%)
Definitions	Improved sanitation facilities include flush toilets connected to a piped sewer system, septic tank, or pit latrine; ventilated improved pit latrine; pit latrine with constructed floor slab; and composting toilet. This is in contrast to unimproved sanitation facilities, which consist of pit latrines without a slab or platform, other types of toilet facilities, and open defecation (i.e., the absence of a toilet facility, use of a bush or field). A basic handwashing facility is defined as a handwashing facility with soap and water, available within the dwelling, yard, or plot. This is in contrast to a limited handwashing facility, which is defined as a handwashing facility without soap and/or water; and to the absence of a handwashing facility.
Calculations	Number of households or individuals with access to the facility / Total number of households or individuals * 100
Other information	Note the difference in the unit of analysis (households vs. de jure population) between the two series.
Comments and limitations	The protocols for collecting data, and the nature and scope of the questions, were relatively similar from EICV1 (1999/2001) through EICV6. Reflecting the evolving best practice in poverty measurement, a number of important methodological changes were made for EICV7 (2023-2024). Please see the linked data source for more information on methodology.
Data last updated	09/06/2026
Metadata last updated	09/06/2026

This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.

Indicator name	Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water
Indicator number	6.2.1
Target name	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
Target number	6.2
Global indicator description	The proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services is currently being measured as the proportion of the population using ‘improved’ sanitation facilities, which include flush or pour flush toilets to sewer systems, septic tanks or pit latrines, ventilated improved pit latrines, pit latrines with a slab, and composting toilets. The proportion of the population with basic hygiene services is defined as the proportion of population with a handwashing facility with soap and water available at home. Handwashing facilities may be located within the dwelling, yard or plot. They may be fixed or mobile and include a sink with tap water, buckets with taps, tippy-taps, and jugs or basins designated for handwashing. Soap includes bar soap, liquid soap, powder detergent, and soapy water but does not include ash, soil, sand or other handwashing agents.
UN designated tier	Tier II
UN custodian agency	World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Link to UN metadata	United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Metadata (pdf 894kB) opens in a new window

Source 1

Organisation	National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR)
Periodicity	Every 3 years
Earliest available data	2000
Geographical coverage	Rwanda
Link to data source	Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV) - Thematic Report Utilities and Amenities opens in a new window
Release date	2024
Next release	2027
Statistical classification	Official statistics
Contact details	info@statistics.gov.rw
Other information	This is the source for data on the percentage of households using improved sanitation facilities. The protocols for collecting data, and the nature and scope of the questions, were relatively similar from EICV1 (1999/2001) through EICV6. Reflecting the evolving best practice in poverty measurement, a number of important methodological changes were made for EICV7 (2023-2024). Please see the linked data source for more information on methodology.

Source 2

Organisation	National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR)
Periodicity	Every 5 years
Earliest available data	1992
Geographical coverage	Rwanda
Link to data source	Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) opens in a new window
Release date	2020
Next release	2025
Statistical classification	Official statistics
Contact details	info@statistics.gov.rw
Other information	This is the source for data on the percentage of the de jure population with a basic handwashing facility. It also includes data on sanitation facilities, however, the Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV) has been used for that series as it offers a more comprehensive sample and more frequent updates.

Edit Data Edit Metadata