Open Defecation
Open defecation in low-income countries four times higher than global average: UN report
Context: The recent UN report highlights a stark reality: open defecation in low-income countries is four times higher than the global average, posing serious health, environmental, and dignity-related challenges.
What is open defecation?
Open defecation is the practice of defecating outdoors in fields, bushes, water bodies, or other open spaces rather than using a toilet. It reflects lack of access to sanitation infrastructure. It is a key indicator for tracking progress under SDG 6.2 (achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation by 2030).
What are the implications of open defecation?
- Health Burden: Contaminates drinking water sources → increases incidence of diarrhoeal diseases, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, intestinal worm infections. WHO estimates ~4.3 lakh diarrhoeal deaths/yr are linked to poor sanitation. Contributes to stunting and malnutrition in children due to repeated infections.
- Gender & Social Inequalities: Women and girls face safety risks, harassment, and gendered burden of collecting water. Impacts menstrual hygiene management, with wider consequences for education and dignity. The report (2025) highlights disproportionate impact on minorities, indigenous groups, people with disabilities, and rural poor.
- Environmental & Economic Impacts: Faecal matter contaminates rivers, lakes, and groundwater → exacerbates eutrophication and methane emissions. Open defecation reduces tourism potential, affects fisheries, and increases healthcare costs. World Bank estimates poor sanitation costs countries up to 5–7% of GDP annually in lost productivity and health expenditure.
The UN report emphasises that low-income countries are not on track to eliminate open defecation by 2030, requiring an 18-fold increase in sanitation access to meet SDG targets.
How has the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan helped in reducing open defecation areas?
India’s Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), launched in 2014, has been one of the largest sanitation campaigns in the world. It aimed to make India Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2019.
- Infrastructure Achievements: Over 11.64 crore household toilets built in rural areas. More than 2.41 lakh community sanitary complexes constructed. Urban SBM added 63 lakh household toilets and 6.3 lakh public toilets.
- Impact on Open Defecation: India saw a 62% reduction in open defecation between 2000 and 2022. Over 5.87 lakh villages declared ODF Plus, with solid and liquid waste management systems in place. Studies show SBM helped avert 60,000–70,000 infant deaths annually by improving sanitation.
- Behavioural Change & Community Engagement: Massive awareness campaigns and Jan Andolan (people’s movement). Incentives and penalties to encourage toilet use. Integration with school and health programs to promote hygiene.
- Remaining Challenges: Some households still do not use toilets due to cultural beliefs, poor design, or lack of water. gaps and overreporting of ODF status in some regions. Need for sustained reinforcement and waste management infrastructure.
