World Drowning Prevention Day 2026

Unite to turn the tide

Every year on 25 July, the world marks World Drowning Prevention Day to raise awareness that drowning deaths are preventable and to promote proven actions that save lives.

This World Drowning Prevention Day, we unite to turn the tide.

Drowning takes more than 300 000 lives a year, 30 every hour across the world and almost a quarter of them are children under 5. Globally, it is among the 10 leading causes of death for children aged 5–14 years.

These global figures are reflected strongly in the Western Pacific Region, which bears a disproportionate share of the world's drowning burden. In 2021, more than 84 000 people drowned in the Region, accounting for nearly 30% of global drowning deaths. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged 5–14 years, and the regional drowning death rate stands at 4.3 per 100 000 population, higher than the global average of 3.8 per 100 000. 

Although children are among the most affected, the highest drowning death rate occurs among adults aged 70 years and older, at 13.7 deaths per 100 000 population. Men also consistently experience a greater burden of drowning than women.

More than 90% of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells, domestic water storage vessels and swimming pools in low- and middle-income countries, with children and adolescents in rural areas disproportionately affected.

Beyond fatal incidents, many individuals experience non-fatal drowning, which can lead to long-term health complications and a substantial number of hospitalizations each year. Despite its significant impact and the fact that it is largely preventable, drowning continues to receive insufficient attention in public health agendas, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

The theme for World Drowning Prevention Day 2026 is Unite to Turn the Tide. It is a call for governments, communities, families and individuals to work together to prevent drowning through proven, life-saving interventions. Since 2000, the global drowning death rate has fallen by 38%, demonstrating coordinated prevention efforts. However, progress must accelerate to meet the global target.

The Global Strategy for Drowning Prevention calls on every sector and every level of society to one goal: Unite to reduce drowning by 35% by 2035.

Closing the gap depends on all of us doing our part – every person, in every place, in every context.

Reducing drowning deaths requires simple, proven actions at home, in the water, during emergencies and within communities. Everyone has a role to play in preventing drowning and protecting lives.

• At home: Install physical barriers around water hazards and ensure children are under constant, active adult supervision.
• On the water: Always wear a properly fitted lifejacket, avoid alcohol and drugs, and follow safe water practices.
• In emergencies: Learn lifesaving skills such as CPR, monitor weather conditions, and know how to respond quickly during water-related incidents.
• In the community: Promote water safety education, share drowning prevention knowledge, and support community-led initiatives to create safer environments.
• Through policies: Strengthen safe infrastructure, rescue and resuscitation, water-related occupational and transport safety, swimming and water-safety education, supervised childcare and safeguarding, and preparedness for floods and other emergencies.

By working together and adopting these preventive measures, we can help reduce drowning deaths and move closer to the global goal of saving lives through collective action.