In 2010 almost 800 million people worldwide were without
improved access to water and 2.5 billion people were
without access to basic sanitation. Thus, the economic
benefits from improved access to safe drinking water and
sanitation can be considerable (see Figure below). Several
developing countries in Africa and Latin America stand
to gain the equivalent of 5% or more of their annual GDP
as a result of reaching the MDG. This share trebles to an
average of more than 15% of annual GDP if the target is
expanded to universal access.