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WHO: SA among countries with cleanest energy and safest water in the world

South Africans can count themselves fortunate to live in a country that has dome of the cleanest water and air in the world.

This is according to data published in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) annual World Health Statistics 2017 report, which compiles data from the organisation’s 194 Member States on 21 health-related SDG targets, providing a snapshot of both gains and threats to the health of the world’s people.

The report details the rate of deaths caused by various factors, the state of healthcare services provided by governments and other important information.

Access to safe water

South Africa is among the top six African countries with safely managed drinking water sources, with 93% of the population receiving access to it. Mauritius has the highest number of residents accessing safe water at 100% of the population.

Other countries around the world ranked highly include Canada (100%), Austria (100%), Qatar (100%), Egypt (99%), Brazil (98%) and the US (99%).

One of WHO’s goals is to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030.

Clean energy

South Africa also ranked high in the provision of access to clean sources of energy for its population. It placed third in sub-Saharan Africa after Algeria, Seychelles and Mauritius, with 82% of the population receiving energy that is not harmful to their health and environment.

Generally, clean energy access was common across many high and mid income level countries around the world. Almost all European and United Arab Emirates countries ranked above 90%, while almost half North and South America ranked above 80%.

Tanzania ranked lowest in Africa, with less than 5% of its population getting their energy from a clean source.

Universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services is also one of WHO’s 2030 goals.

See more data on global health in the World Health Statistics 2017 report.

[Image – IUCNweb]

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