The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025: A Decade of Progress and a Call for Accelerated Action

Executive Summary

The United Nations’ 10th annual report on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), released a decade into the 2030 Agenda, presents a critical assessment of global progress. While acknowledging significant achievements in key areas, the report underscores that the current pace is insufficient to meet the 2030 targets. Data indicates that only 35 per cent of SDG targets are on track, while nearly half are progressing too slowly and 18 per cent have regressed. The report serves as a call for urgent, unified, and sustained international cooperation and investment to accelerate progress in the final five years, emphasizing that the SDGs remain achievable with determined action.

Progress Towards Sustainable Development Goals

Despite global challenges, notable progress has been made across several SDGs, improving millions of lives:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: New HIV infections have decreased by nearly 40 per cent since 2010. Malaria prevention efforts have averted 2.2 billion cases and saved 12.7 million lives since 2000.
• SDG 1: No Poverty & SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Social protection systems now cover over half the world’s population, a significant increase from a decade ago.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: An additional 110 million children and youth have been enrolled in school since 2015.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The incidence of child marriage is declining, more girls are remaining in education, and women’s representation in national parliaments is increasing globally.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: In 2023, 92 per cent of the global population had access to electricity.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Global internet usage has increased from 40 per cent in 2015 to 68 per cent in 2024, enhancing access to education, employment, and civic engagement.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water & SDG 15: Life on Land: Conservation initiatives have successfully doubled the protection of key marine and terrestrial ecosystems, bolstering global biodiversity.

Persistent Challenges and Systemic Risks to SDG Achievement

The report highlights significant obstacles that continue to impede progress towards the 2030 Agenda:

• SDG 1: No Poverty: Over 800 million people remain in extreme poverty.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: Billions of people still lack access to safely managed drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: Climate change continues to accelerate, with 2024 recorded as the hottest year on record, reaching 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Conflicts resulted in nearly 50,000 deaths in 2024, and the number of forcibly displaced people surpassed 120 million by the end of the year.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: Low- and middle-income countries are burdened by record-high debt servicing costs, which reached $1.4 trillion in 2023.

Detailed Statistical Overview of SDG Indicators

Positive Trends in SDG Indicators

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The prevalence of stunting in children under five decreased from 26.4 per cent in 2012 to 23.2 per cent in 2024.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: Healthy life expectancy rose by over five years between 2000 and 2019. The global maternal mortality ratio fell to 197 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, and under-5 mortality dropped to 37 deaths per 1,000 live births. By the end of 2024, 54 countries had eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: Women held 27.2 per cent of national parliamentary seats as of January 2025, an increase of 4.9 percentage points since 2015. Between 2019 and 2024, 99 positive legal reforms were enacted to advance gender equality.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: Renewable energy is projected to become the primary source of electricity in 2025, surpassing coal.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: 5G mobile broadband coverage now reaches 51 per cent of the global population.

Negative Trends and Setbacks

• SDG 1: No Poverty: Projections indicate that 8.9 per cent of the world’s population will still live in extreme poverty by 2030 without significant acceleration of efforts.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: In 2023, nearly one in eleven people globally experienced hunger.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: 272 million children and youth were out of school in 2023.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: Women perform 2.5 times more unpaid domestic and care work than men.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: In 2024, 2.2 billion people lacked safely managed drinking water, 3.4 billion lacked safely managed sanitation, and 1.7 billion lacked basic hygiene services.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: 1.12 billion people worldwide reside in slums or informal settlements lacking basic services.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The global refugee population increased to 37.8 million by mid-2024.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: After five years of growth, official development assistance (ODA) decreased by 7.1 per cent in 2024, with further reductions anticipated.

A Roadmap for SDG Acceleration

The report outlines a strategic path forward, calling for intensified action across six priority areas capable of generating transformative impact. It also urges the implementation of the Medellín Framework for Action to strengthen data systems for policymaking, reinforcing SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Food systems transformation
2. Energy access and affordability
3. Digital transformation
4. Education reform
5. Jobs and comprehensive social protection
6. Climate and biodiversity action

National Successes Demonstrating SDG Achievability

Despite challenging global averages, numerous countries have demonstrated that accelerated progress is possible. These national successes, driven by effective policies and inclusive partnerships, prove the feasibility of the 2030 Agenda. For example, 45 countries have achieved universal electricity access (SDG 7) in the last decade, and 54 countries had successfully eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease by the end of 2024 (SDG 3). These achievements affirm that the final five years represent a critical window to deliver on the non-negotiable promises of the Sustainable Development Goals through urgent multilateralism and sustained investment.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article directly addresses this goal by stating that “More than 800 million people still live in extreme poverty” and that without acceleration, “8.9 per cent of the global population will still be living in extreme poverty by 2030”. It also mentions progress in social protection, which is a key strategy for poverty reduction.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – This goal is highlighted by the setback that “Nearly 1 in 11 people worldwide faced hunger in 2023.” Progress on a related issue is noted with the decrease in “stunting among children under age 5”.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article provides extensive data related to health, including progress in reducing “New HIV infections,” preventing malaria, increasing “Healthy life expectancy,” and lowering both “Global maternal mortality ratio” and “Under-5 mortality.” It also mentions the elimination of “neglected tropical disease” in several countries.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – The report touches on education by celebrating that “110 million more children and youth have entered school” since 2015, while also pointing out the challenge that “272 million children and youth remained out of school in 2023.”
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – This goal is addressed through mentions of declining “Child marriage,” more girls staying in school, women “gaining ground in parliaments,” and the implementation of “positive legal reforms… to establish gender equality frameworks.” It also highlights the disparity in “unpaid domestic and care work” between men and women.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article explicitly points to shortfalls in this area, stating that “Billions still lack access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services,” and provides specific figures for 2024.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Progress on this goal is a key highlight, with the report noting that “92 per cent of the world’s population had access to electricity” in 2023 and that “Renewable energy is the fastest-growing energy source today.”
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The article connects to this goal through its focus on digital connectivity, citing that “Internet use has surged from 40 per cent in 2015 to 68 per cent in 2024” and that “5G mobile broadband now covers 51 per cent of the global population.”
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – This goal is referenced by the statistic that “Worldwide, 1.12 billion people live in slums or informal settlements without basic services.”
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The urgency of climate action is underscored by the fact that “Climate change pushed 2024 to be the hottest year on record, with temperatures 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.”
• SDG 15: Life on Land – The article mentions progress in biodiversity protection, stating that “Conservation efforts have doubled protection of key ecosystems.”
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – This goal is addressed through grim statistics on global conflicts, including “nearly 50,000 deaths in 2024” and the fact that over “120 million people were forcibly displaced,” with the “global refugee population” surging.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The entire premise of the article, calling for “International cooperation and sustained investment,” relates to this goal. It is further detailed with data on declining “Official development assistance” and rising “debt servicing costs” for low- and middle-income countries.

Specific Targets Identified

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere. This is directly referenced by the statistic that “More than 800 million people still live in extreme poverty.”
• Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all. The article notes progress here, stating that “Social protection now reaches over half the world’s population.”

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The article highlights a setback, noting “Nearly 1 in 11 people worldwide faced hunger in 2023.”
• Target 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition. Progress is shown with the data on the “prevalence of stunting among children under age 5” decreasing.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio. The article tracks progress, showing the ratio “dropped from 228 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015 to 197 in 2023.”
• Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age. Progress is noted as “Under-5 mortality fell to 37 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023.”
• Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases. The article cites progress on HIV, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education. The article mentions both progress (“110 million more children and youth have entered school”) and setbacks (“272 million children and youth remained out of school in 2023”).

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage. The article states that “Child marriage is in decline.”
• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership. Progress is shown by the fact that “women held 27.2 per cent of the seats in national parliaments” as of January 2025.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The article notes a major gap: “2.2 billion people lacked safely managed drinking water” in 2024.
• Target 6.2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all. The report states that “3.4 billion went without safely managed sanitation, and 1.7 billion lacked basic hygiene services” in 2024.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The article highlights significant progress, with “92 per cent of the world’s population” having electricity access in 2023.
• Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article notes that “Renewable energy is the fastest-growing energy source today.”

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet. The article shows progress with “Internet use” surging to “68 per cent in 2024.”

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. The article identifies a major challenge: “1.12 billion people live in slums or informal settlements.”

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The article implies a failure to meet this target by citing that 2024 was the “hottest year on record, with temperatures 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels.”

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article shows regression, with “Conflicts caus[ing] nearly 50,000 deaths in 2024.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.2: Developed countries to implement fully their official development assistance commitments. The article notes a setback, with “Official development assistance declined 7.1 per cent in 2024.”
• Target 17.4: Assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability. The article highlights a growing problem, with “record-high debt servicing costs of $1.4 trillion in 2023.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Indicator 1.1.1: Proportion of the population living below the international poverty line. The article states “8.9 per cent of the global population will still be living in extreme poverty by 2030.”
• Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems. The article mentions that “Social protection now reaches over half the world’s population.”

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment. The article implies this with the figure “Nearly 1 in 11 people worldwide faced hunger in 2023.”
• Indicator 2.2.1: Prevalence of stunting among children under 5 years of age. The article provides specific data: a decrease “from 26.4 per cent to 23.2 per cent” between 2012 and 2024.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Indicator 3.1.1: Maternal mortality ratio. The article gives the figure as dropping to “197 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023.”
• Indicator 3.2.1: Under-5 mortality rate. The article states this fell to “37 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023.”
• Indicator 3.3.1: Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population. The article notes a decline of “nearly 40 per cent since 2010.”
• Indicator 3.3.3: Malaria incidence per 1,000 population. Progress is shown by the “2.2 billion cases” averted since 2000.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments. The article provides the specific figure of “27.2 per cent” as of January 2025.
• Indicator 5.4.1: Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work. The article states, “Women perform 2.5 times as many unpaid domestic and care work as men.”

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services. The article indicates that “2.2 billion people lacked” this in 2024.
• Indicator 6.2.1: Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services. The article states that “3.4 billion went without” this in 2024.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• Indicator 7.1.1: Proportion of population with access to electricity. The article provides the figure of “92 per cent of the world’s population” in 2023.
• Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption. The article notes renewable energy is projected to “surpass coal as the primary electricity source in 2025.”

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• Indicator 9.c.1: Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology. The article states “5G mobile broadband now covers 51 per cent of the global population.”

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing. The article gives the absolute number: “1.12 billion people live in slums or informal settlements.”

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Indicator 13.1.1: The article uses global temperature increase as a key indicator, noting temperatures were “1.55°C above pre-industrial levels” in 2024.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population. The article uses a related measure: “Conflicts caused nearly 50,000 deaths in 2024.”
• Indicator 16.9.1: The article refers to the number of forcibly displaced people (“over 120 million”) and refugees (“37.8 million”), which are key indicators of instability.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Indicator 17.2.1: Net official development assistance (ODA). The article states ODA “declined 7.1 per cent in 2024.”
• Indicator 17.4.1: Debt service as a proportion of exports of goods and services. The article provides the absolute figure of “$1.4 trillion” in debt servicing costs for 2023.

Summary of Findings

Source: un.org