Asia
Can you drink the tap water in Asia?
Last reviewed September 2026
Asia spans the full range, from the spotless tap water of Japan, South Korea and Singapore to much of South and Southeast Asia, where tap water is best filtered, boiled, or replaced with bottled water. On our index the 32 countries in Asia average 49/100 — but that average hides a wide spread, from Singapore (94) down to Afghanistan (23). Scores above 70 mean tap water is generally safe to drink. 40–69 means treat it with caution — filtering or bottled water is wise. Below 40 means it’s best avoided straight from the tap.
Tap water safety in Asia, ranked
Every country in Asia, highest score first. Tap any country for its full breakdown.
Traveling in Asia: what to do about tap water
Because the range across Asia is so wide, the safe rule is to check the specific country before you go rather than assume the region is uniform. In any country scoring under 70, treat the tap water — a rolling boil handles microbes, a certified filter or sealed bottled water covers the rest, and it is worth being cautious with ice and raw produce too. Where a country scores 70 or above, the tap water is generally safe to drink and a refillable bottle is the cheaper, greener choice.
See also our guide on tap water safety while traveling and the full methodology.
Common questions about tap water in Asia
Can you drink the tap water in Asia?+
It varies by country. Of the 32 countries in Asia on our index, 5 rate as safe to drink, 16 are best treated with caution, and 11 are best avoided from the tap. The safest is Singapore (94/100); the least safe is Afghanistan (23/100).
Which country in Asia has the safest tap water?+
Singapore, scoring 94/100 — safe to drink. Open its page for the full breakdown.
Do you need bottled water in Asia?+
In the countries that score below 70 you should filter, boil, or buy bottled water; where a country scores 70+ the tap water is generally safe and bottled water is optional. Check the individual country before you travel — the range within Asia is wide.