The percentage of people who can swim varies by country and region, and it is difficult to provide a precise global estimate. However, there have been some studies and surveys that provide insight into the percentage of people who can swim in different parts of the world.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that, as of 2018, only 38% of American adults were able to swim at least one length of a 25-yard pool without stopping. This figure was even lower among certain demographic groups, such as African Americans and Hispanics, with only 31% and 26%, respectively, able to swim one length of a pool. The CDC’s report is based on data from the National Health Interview Survey, which is a household survey of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population.
In the United Kingdom, a survey conducted by the Amateur Swimming Association in 2015 found that 20% of adults in England could not swim. The survey also found that 40% of adults in England did not feel confident in deep water. However, the percentage of people who can swim varies significantly by region within the UK, with some areas reporting much higher rates of swimming ability than others.
In Australia, a national survey conducted in 2019 by Royal Life Saving Australia found that 71% of Australian adults were able to swim at least 50 meters unaided. However, the survey also found significant disparities in swimming ability between different age groups and cultural backgrounds, with indigenous Australians and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds reporting lower rates of swimming ability.
Overall, these studies suggest that the percentage of people who can swim varies widely by country and demographic group, but that there is a lot of room for improvement in many parts of the world.