1.1. Contact organisation
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
e-mail contact : ESTAT-SDG-MONITORING@ec.europa.eu
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
10 April 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
10 April 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
10 April 2025
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, which is embedded in the European Commission’s 2024-2029 priorities under 'Sustaining our quality of life: Food security, water and nature'.
Among other things, SDG 6 calls for ensuring universal access to safe and affordable drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, and ending open defecation. It also aims at improving water quality and water-use efficiency and encouraging sustainable abstractions and supply of freshwater. Considering the indicator, a bath, shower and indoor flushing toilet are basic facilities of a household. Their availability plays an important role in healthy livelihoods and people’s well-being. A lack of these facilities is considered as housing deprivation. Furthermore, their accessibility, specifically within one’s household, contributes to the end of open defecation and therefore promotes a healthy environment and reduces human health risks.
Indicator can be considered as similar to global SDG indicator 6.2.1 "Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services, including a hand-washing facility with soap and water".
Protection of water resources, water ecosystems and of drinking and bathing water is at the cornerstone of EU water policy, as confirmed in the 8th Environment Action Programme. The EU health and food safety policy also contributes to high standards on water and sanitation in terms of preventing the spread of communicable diseases. The EU in its external relations, its development cooperation policy (through the European consensus and the Agenda for Change), the European Neighbourhood Policy and the EU Enlargement Policy is supporting third countries in the achievement of this sustainable development goal through bilateral assistance programmes or regional initiatives.
4.1. Data description
The indicator measures the share of total population having neither a bath, nor a shower, nor an indoor flushing toilet in their household.
4.2. Unit of measure
Percentage [PC]
i. total
ii. below 60% of median equivalised income
iii. above 60% of median equivalised income
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year.
4.4. Accuracy - overall
From 2005 onwards EU-SILC is based on a common framework defined by harmonised lists of primary and secondary variables, common concepts, a recommended design, common requirements (such as imputation procedures, weighting, sampling errors calculation) and classifications aiming at maximising comparability of the information produced. Details can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link to related metadata).
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS (SILC)
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (SILC).
Data provider: Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, based on data reported by the countries.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every 3+ years5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
The indicator is updated with 3 years frequency and on a voluntary basis from the reference year 2023 onwards. Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via Eurostat release calendar.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+1 year5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within one year after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
< 75% EU MS or no EU aggregate6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
From 2023 onwards: no EU aggregate and data for <75% EU Member States.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States respectively other presented countries.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series starts in 2007.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is longer than 4 data points.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in an EU context).
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
See table sdg_06_10
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs: Eurostat overview.
Copyrights: Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
