World Development Indicators, October 2025 Update: Tracking Global Poverty, Food Insecurity, and Financial Inclusion – World Bank Blogs

Report on the October 2025 World Development Indicators (WDI) Update and its Implications for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Overview of the Release

The World Development Indicators (WDI) database was updated on October 7, 2025, providing revised data across numerous development metrics critical for monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This release offers timely insights following the 2025 Annual Meetings, supporting the global agenda with data-driven information to inform policy and track progress on shared development priorities.

Key Data Updates Aligned with Specific SDGs

The October 2025 update features refreshed indicators that directly correspond to the monitoring frameworks of several SDGs.

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): Significant updates have been made to poverty data.
  • New country-level, global, and regional poverty estimates up to 2024 are now available.
  • The update incorporates 55 new datasets and introduces a new methodology for estimating poverty in countries without sufficient data.
  • Updated poverty headcount ratios are included, which are essential for tracking progress toward the elimination of extreme poverty.
  • Regional poverty estimates now align with the World Bank’s regional classification as of July 2025.
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): The database includes new data to monitor food security.
  • New indicators on food insecurity have been added.
  • Updated agricultural indices are also featured.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Key health indicators have been refreshed.
  • Data on HIV/AIDS prevalence and treatment has been updated.
  • The latest figures on immunization coverage are included.
  • New data on maternal mortality is available.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): The release provides updated metrics on education access and attainment.
  • Data on school enrollment has been revised.
  • Updated literacy rates are included.
  • New figures on out-of-school populations are featured.
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): New data on water resource management is now available.
  • The update includes new indicators measuring water stress.
• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) & SDG 13 (Climate Action): The database features new data relevant to energy and climate change.
  • New data on emissions has been incorporated.
  • Indicators for energy and electricity measures have been updated.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The update provides the latest statistics on labor markets and economic indicators.
  • Data on employment, unemployment, and labor force participation has been refreshed.
  • The latest data on access to and use of financial services from the 2025 Global Findex Database supports the goal of financial inclusion.
  • Updated figures for balance of payments and purchasing power parity (PPP) provide macroeconomic context.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) & SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): A significant addition is the new data on vulnerable populations.
  • The release features new data on forcibly displaced people, with coverage up to 2024.
  • Specific indicators include data on:
    1. Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR and UNRWA.
    2. Asylum-seekers by country of asylum and origin.
    3. Internally displaced people (IDPs).
    4. Other people in need of international protection.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article explicitly mentions updated “poverty headcount ratios” and the goal of “eliminating extreme poverty.”
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The inclusion of new data on “food insecurity” and “agricultural indices” directly connects to this goal.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article highlights refreshed data on key health metrics such as “HIV/AIDS prevalence and treatment, immunization, maternal mortality.”
• SDG 4: Quality Education – The update includes data on “education (enrollment, literacy, out-of-school populations),” which are central to this goal.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The mention of new data on “water stress” relates to the sustainable management of water resources.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – The article notes the inclusion of new data on “energy” and “electricity measures,” which are fundamental to this goal.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The release covers data on “labor (employment, unemployment, labor force participation)” and “access and use of financial services,” which are key components of this SDG.
• SDG 13: Climate Action – The inclusion of new data on “emissions” directly addresses the need to combat climate change.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The article features “new data on forcibly displaced people, including indicators on refugees… asylum-seekers… internally displaced people (IDP),” which are often consequences of conflict and instability.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere. The article’s focus on “updated poverty headcount ratios” and “eliminating extreme poverty” directly supports the monitoring of this target.
• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The new data on “food insecurity” is essential for tracking progress toward this target.
• Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio. The article explicitly mentions updated data on “maternal mortality.”
• Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS… and other communicable diseases. The inclusion of data on “HIV/AIDS prevalence and treatment” is directly relevant to this target.
• Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education. Data on “enrollment” and “out-of-school populations” are used to measure this.
• Target 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults… achieve literacy and numeracy. The mention of “literacy” data corresponds to this target.
• Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency… and ensure sustainable withdrawals… to address water scarcity. The new data on “water stress” is a key metric for this target.
• Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The “electricity measures” mentioned in the article would track access to electricity, a core component of this target.
• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. The data on “employment, unemployment, labor force participation” directly monitors this target.
• Target 8.10: Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all. The data on “access and use of financial services” from the Global Findex Database is a primary source for measuring this.
• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. While not explicitly stated, the data on “forcibly displaced people” is crucial for understanding the populations most vulnerable to these risks, which are often driven by conflict and instability addressed under SDG 16.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.1.1: Proportion of the population living below the international poverty line. This is directly referred to in the article as “poverty headcount ratios.”
• Indicator 2.1.2: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population. This is implied by the mention of new data on “food insecurity.”
• Indicator 3.1.1: Maternal mortality ratio. The article explicitly states that data on “maternal mortality” is included.
• Indicator 3.3.1: Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population. This is implied by the data on “HIV/AIDS prevalence.”
• Indicator 3.b.1: Proportion of the target population covered by all vaccines included in their national programme. This is implied by the data on “immunization.”
• Indicator 4.1.2: Completion rate (primary education, lower secondary education, upper secondary education). This is measured using data on “enrollment” and “out-of-school populations.”
• Indicator 4.6.1: Proportion of population achieving at least a fixed level of proficiency in functional literacy. This is directly mentioned as “literacy” data.
• Indicator 6.4.2: Level of water stress. The article explicitly mentions new data on “water stress.”
• Indicator 7.1.1: Proportion of population with access to electricity. This is a key metric within the “electricity measures” mentioned.
• Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate. This is explicitly mentioned as part of the “labor” data.
• Indicator 8.10.2: Proportion of adults (15 years and older) with an account at a bank or other financial institution. This is directly measured by the “access and use of financial services” data from the Global Findex Database.
• Indicator 13.2.2: Total greenhouse gas emissions per year. This is directly referred to as data on “emissions.”
• Implied Indicator for SDG 16: Number of forcibly displaced people by country of origin and asylum. The article explicitly mentions new indicators on “refugees… asylum-seekers… internally displaced people (IDP),” which serve as crucial proxy indicators for peace and justice.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: blogs.worldbank.org