both Africa and Asia and the Pacific would be worse off by the end of the century than they were at the start of th8 1980s. 77. With the expected high rate of population growth of cities in developing countries, the rapid growth in demand for water for domestic, municipal and commercial uses will often strain existing capabilities to provide the needed water supplies. The provision of additional amounts of Water will Often require the development of more distant and costlier soUrc8s, both in terms of development and conveyance. This situation would inevitably increase unit costs unless steps at8 taken to Offset them through the us8 Of appropriate lOW-COSt technologies. A Chang8 away from the more traditional capital intenoive approaches to urban water supply and sanitation will often be needed in order to overcome th8 high levels of investments that would Otherwise be required. 78.The 67 per cent drop in the number of people in rural areas without adequate water supply services would b8 the result Of continued significant progress in Asia and the Pacific, and to a lesser extent in Latin America and the Caribbean. The modest increases in service coverage that would take place in Africa would be insufficient to prevent a rise of 10 per cent in the number of people without safe water supply. Globally, the 8 per cent decrease in the number of rural inhabittrnts without adequate sanitation would also be attributable to decreases in Asia and the Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean. 79. Recent estimates carried out by UNICEF, in corlsultation with the World Bank and UNDP, lead to the conclUsiOn that, if water and sanitation service coverage /I . .A/45/327 English Page 24 were to be provided to 90 per cent of the urban and rural population by the end Of
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the challenges and projections related to water supply and sanitation in developing countries, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. It highlights the need for innovative solutions to address the increasing demand for water and the strain on existing water supplies, as well as the disparities in service coverage between urban and rural areas. The text also references the role of international organizations such as UNICEF, the World Bank, and UNDP in providing estimates and guidance on this issue.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Health