India has the highest number of schoolchildren without sanitation services, with 50 million children lacking access in 2025, according to a UN report

Analysis

The claim may appear credible because it references a UN report, which most readers assume to be authoritative. However, the figure was likely taken from a preliminary draft or mis‑interpreted, leading to an overstatement. Readers often miss the distinction between "children lacking any sanitation" and "children lacking basic, functional sanitation," as well as the time lag in data reporting. Overstating the number can create unnecessary alarm but also masks the real progress made under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Accurate reporting is important so policymakers can target the remaining gaps without losing public confidence in ongoing sanitation initiatives.