What are the SDGs? | The Sustainable Development Goals

Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere is the mission, and while progress has been made in the past, the road ahead is still steep. The COVID-19 pandemic reversed years of hard-earned gains, pushing extreme poverty rates up for the first time in decades. As of 2022, around 712 million people, roughly 9% of the global population, were living in extreme poverty, an increase of 23 million from 2019. And if things don’t change, nearly 590 million people will still be in extreme poverty by 2030. These numbers are decreasing, but not fast enough to complete SDG 1 by the end of the 2030 Agenda.Ending poverty is possible, but it will take collective effort, urgency, and everyday action to get there.

The goal of SDG 2 is to achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030. But right now, hunger still affects nearly 1 in 10 people globally. In 2022, about 2.4 billion people struggled with moderate to severe food insecurity. At the same time, food prices went up in nearly 60% of countries because of conflicts and problems in supply chains. While global hunger has stabilized after the pandemic, the situation remains critical. Ensuring everyone has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food year-round will require us to rethink the way we grow, distribute, and consume food. Supporting local farmers, sustainable agriculture, and fair trade are key steps. Achieving SDG 2 is possible, but only if we all stay informed, involved, and committed to change.

Health is the foundation of everything, from our ability to work, to learning how to fully experience life. Over the past few decades, we’ve seen incredible progress: fewer children are dying from preventable diseases, and HIV infections have significantly decreased by 27% since 2015. But progress has slowed in recent years, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Maternal mortality, noncommunicable diseases, and unequal access to essential healthcare remain major challenges, especially for vulnerable communities. Climate change is adding even more pressure to already fragile health systems. We have the tools to improve lives through better healthcare access, education, and global cooperation. Good health shouldn’t be a privilege; it should be a guarantee. Let’s keep pushing to achieve SDG 3 by 2030.

Education changes lives, but not everyone gets the chance to learn. Children from the poorest households are still four times more likely to be out of school than their wealthier peers. As of 2019, only 58% of students globally met minimum reading proficiency by the end of primary school.  Teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and limited training are holding back progress. The pandemic caused setbacks, but participation rates are now beginning to recover. The good news? Since 2000, global enrolment in primary education has grown significantly. Now, we must go further by making sure every child has access not just to school, but to quality learning. Together, we can help achieve SDG 4 and unlock every child’s potential. 

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The world has made significant progress, more girls are in school, and the number of women in paid work has increased. But deep inequalities remain. Women still carry the burden of unpaid care work, face persistent wage gaps, and are underrepresented in leadership. As of 2024, women hold just 26.9% of seats in national parliaments, a modest gain over nearly a decade. At the current pace, it could take 176 years to reach gender parity in managerial roles. More than half of countries still lack laws that fully protect women from discrimination. Progress is happening, but it’s too slow. Now is the time to invest in women’s leadership and achieve SDG 5. 

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Clean water and sanitation are basic human rights, but as of 2022, 2.2 billion people still don’t have access to safely managed drinking water, and 3.5 billion lack safe sanitation. Half the world experiences severe water scarcity for at least half of the year, and one in four faces extremely high-water stress. The good news? Since 2015, more people have been gaining access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene—but not fast enough. None of the targets under this goal are currently on track to be met by 2030. Urgent investments, innovation, and cooperation to protect water sources, improve infrastructure, are needed to ensure clean water reaches every community. Water is life, and SDG 5 is the path towards a better and cleaner life.

Over 1.7 billion people gained access to electricity between 1990 and 2010. But progress is slowing down now. For the first time in a decade, global electricity access declined in 2022, largely due to conflict and economic disruption. At this rate, 660 million people will still be without electricity by 2030, and a staggering 1.8 billion will lack access to clean cooking. On the upside, renewable energy is expanding; and global installed capacity reached 424 watts per person in 2022. But we need to move faster. Clean, affordable energy is a human need. Let’s invest in renewable sources like wind and solar, improve efficiency, and ensure no one is left behind.

From the lingering impacts of COVID-19 to rising global debt, geopolitical tensions, and stalled productivity, economic growth is slowing down. In 2024, unemployment is expected to rise, with youth and women facing the hurdle of unequal opportunities. Even though 74% of adults now have a financial account, nearly half are still financially vulnerable. But there is hope: according to the SDGs 2024 Progress Report,tourism is bouncing back, and we can still build fairer, more resilient economies. That means creating more inclusive jobs, ensuring equal pay, and supporting young people and entrepreneurs. A thriving economy is the foundation of a better future for all, and SDG 8 ensures a decent work and economy for all.

Innovation and strong infrastructure fuel economic growth and progress, but recent years have shown signs of stagnation. Since 2022, manufacturing has stagnated due to inflation, rising energy costs, and geopolitical turmoil. Although the sector recovered after COVID-19, its growth has now slowed to around 2.7%. Yet, there's progress; CO₂ emissions per unit of GDP are falling, and global Research and Development spending is rebounding. Still, digital and industrial gaps remain. Nearly 4 billion people are offline, mostly in developing countries, and emissions from manufacturing continue to rise. By investing in clean tech, internet access, and sustainable industries, we can unlock opportunities, reduce inequality, and achieve SDG 9.

Inequality is growing, with the richest pulling further ahead while many are left behind. Discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, or belief still affects one in six people worldwide. In 2023, the world saw a record high of nearly 36 million refugees and thousands of migrant deaths.  Discrimination reports continue to rise globally. Tackling inequality means creating fairer financial systems, supporting safe migration, and directing aid where it’s needed most. With these efforts, we can make SDG 10 a reality and look forward to a fairer and just world.

More than half of us already live in cities, and by 2050, that number will grow to nearly two-thirds of the world’s population. Cities are vibrant hubs of culture, innovation, and opportunity, but they also face big challenges like overcrowded slums, limited public transport, and risks from natural disasters. Progress is happening steadily though: the percentage of people living in slums is slowly declining, and more people now have access to convenient public transport than ever before. Air quality is improving, too, thanks to efforts around the world. The next step is to make sure everyone can enjoy affordable housing, green spaces, and safe, resilient infrastructure, which are the main principles of SDG 11. By working together, we can shape cities that are not just bigger, but better places where everyone can thrive.

Our planet is under pressure from how much we consume and produce. We have been wasting over a billion meals daily while 783 million people go hungry and letting waste and material use rise unchecked. This fuels climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. But positive shifts are within reach as more countries are adopting policies towards sustainability. To achieve SDG 12, we can start by reducing food waste, managing e-waste responsibly, and making smarter choices as consumers and producers. We can build a world where everyone has just enough of everything.

Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it’s already here, and every country is feeling its impact. From deadly floods to devastating wildfires, extreme weather is costing lives and livelihoods, especially in the world’s most vulnerable regions. In 2023, the planet recorded its hottest year yet, with temperatures dangerously close to the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement. But here’s the good news: it’s not too late. With collective action, political will, and the right technology, we can still limit warming and build a safer, more resilient future. The path towards SDG 13 is clear; it’s time to act immediately and together. 

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Oceans cover over 70% of our planet and are vital to life on Earth. They regulate climate, provide food, and support the livelihoods of over 3 billion people. But rising carbon emissions are causing ocean acidification, marine pollution is piling up, and nearly a third of fish stocks are overexploited. These threats are real, but they’re not irreversible. With global cooperation, sustainable fishing practices, and better waste management, we can protect marine ecosystems and secure the oceans’ future. SDG 14 is not only for the people who rely on the oceans and for the organisms that call the ocean their home, its everyone’s business.  

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Life on land is the foundation of human survival; it provides food, clean air, water, and natural protection against climate change. But forests are still shrinking, mostly due to agricultural expansion, and the rate of species extinction is increasing. Key areas that protect biodiversity have seen little progress in recent years, and vital ecosystems like wetlands and drylands are under pressure. We still have time to reverse these trends. By restoring natural habitats, protecting endangered species, and using land more sustainably, we can safeguard the planet’s rich biodiversity for generations to come. The SDGs are not just for the lively hood of humans, but for every single living thing on this planet.

Peace, justice, and strong institutions are essential for building a world where everyone can live safely and with dignity. But right now, millions are being forced from their homes due to war, persecution, and human rights abuses, with civilian deaths in conflict zones spiking sharply in recent years. Corruption remains a barrier to justice in many places, and while some progress has been made in political representation, especially for women, more needs to be done. SDG 16 is a call on all countries to reduce violence, ensure access to justice, and build transparent, inclusive institutions that protect human rights and uphold the rule of law. 

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Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is a massive undertaking, but it’s not one country’s job alone. SDG 17 is all about partnerships. Whether it’s financial investment, access to technology, trade, or data, global cooperation is essential. We’ve already got the foundation: a globally connected world, stronger alliances, and a shared commitment from 193 countries. We work with partner countries to create a better future. Collaborating and sharing responsibility, we can turn ambition into action and make the SDGs a reality by 2030.