This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from UK statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from UK statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other UK-specific metadata information.
| Indicator available |
Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services |
|---|---|
| Indicator description |
Access to safe sanitation and hygiene services is essential for good health, welfare and productivity and is widely recognized as a human right. The SDG target 6.2 relating to sanitation and hygiene aims to achieve this right through universal access to safely managed services. |
| Geographical coverage |
United Kingdom |
| Unit of measurement |
Percentage (%) |
| Definitions |
Sanitation services - The management of excreta from the facilities used by individuals, through emptying and transport of excreta for treatment and eventual discharge or reuse. The data follows the Joint Monitoring Program's (JMP) five stage sanitation ladder - Open defecation - Disposal of human faeces in fields, forests, bushes, open bodies of water, beaches and other open spaces or with solid waste. Unimproved - Use of pit latrines without a slab or platform, hanging latrines or bucket latrines. Limited - Use of improved facilities shared between two or more households. Basic - Use of improved facilities which are not shared with other households. Safely managed - Use of improved facilities that are not shared with other households and where excreta are safely disposed of in situ or removed and treated offsite. |
| Available disaggregations |
Facility type, Safely managed element, Service level, Urban or rural residence. |
| Calculations |
The reported percentage figures are provided in the source data already in calculated format. |
| Other information |
Improved sanitation facilities are those designed to hygienically separate excreta from human contact and include - flush/pour flush toilets connected to piped sewer systems, septic tanks or pit latrines, pit latrines with slabs (including ventilated pit latrines), and composting toilets. There are 3 main ways to meet the criteria for having a safely managed sanitation service. People should use improved sanitation facilities which are not shared with other households, and the excreta produced should either be - If excreta from improved sanitation facilities are not safely managed, then people using those facilities are classed as having a basic sanitation service. People using improved facilities that are shared with other households are classified as having a basic sanitation service. The data figures are estimated by JMP, drawing from a range of different data sources. Such as, representative household surveys, population and housing censuses, administrative data and service provider data. For further information on JMP data collection and methods for this indicator, please see JMP monitoring. At present, UK data does not account for homeless rough sleepers. No national data are currently available for indicator 6.2.1 (b) 'Proportion of population with handwashing facilities with soap and water available at home'. Data follows the UN specification for this indicator. This indicator has been identified in collaboration with topic experts. |
| Data last updated | 31 August 2023 |
| Metadata last updated | 31 August 2023 |