Over 80% of Koreans Drink Less Water Than WHO Recommends

More than eight in ten South Koreans consume 1.5 liters or less of water daily, falling short of World Health Organization recommendations, a new survey found.

Water filter brand Brita conducted the "2026 Health Intelligence and Water Intake Awareness" survey of 857 adults nationwide from late last month, revealing that 86.6% of respondents drink 1.5 liters or less per day—below the WHO-recommended 1.5 to 2 liters.

Despite widespread awareness of hydration's importance, with 95.3% of respondents acknowledging that water intake matters and 68.1% citing health management as their primary motivation for drinking water, actual consumption remains inadequate, according to Brita's analysis.

The survey found 57.9% of respondents attributed their low water intake to lack of habit or simply forgetting. When asked about methods to increase consumption, 70.1% said they try to drink consciously without tracking.

Consumers showed strict standards for drinking water quality. "Trustworthy water quality" ranked as the most important factor at 73.3%, while "impurities and microplastics" emerged as the top concern at 60.6%.

The WHO recommends adults drink 1.5 to 2 liters (approximately eight glasses) of water daily. General hydration guidelines suggest approximately 3.7 liters for men and 2.7 liters for women, including fluids from beverages such as tea and coffee. Prolonged dehydration can cause fatigue, reduced concentration, headaches, dry skin and lips, and weakened immune function.

The survey was based on "Health Quotient (HQ)," a key wellness concept. A Brita Korea spokesperson said, "Health intelligence starts with the most basic habits like water intake. We will provide solutions that consider various lifestyles so anyone can easily and conveniently maintain hydration in daily life."