This study analyzed 77 datasets from 26 Asia-Pacific countries to quantify the prevalence of self-supplied drinking water. In 2018, >760 million people (31% of the population) relied on self-supply, with annual increases exceeding 9 million. Rural areas showed greater reliance (37%) than urban areas (20%). Groundwater sources dominated in South and Southeast Asia, while rainwater collection was prevalent in the Pacific. The findings highlight the significance of self-supply and its implications for water policy and financing.
