India enters Top 100 in Global SDG Index for the first time (Rank 99, SDR 2025)

IN NEWS: India enters Top 100 in Global SDG Index for the first time (Rank 99, SDR 2025)

Introduction

India has, for the first time, entered the top 100 countries in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, securing 99th rank out of 167 countries in the Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025. This marks a significant improvement from 109th rank in 2024, reflecting steady progress in achieving SDG targets.

ANALYSIS

India’s Performance in SDG Index

• Rank (2025): 99
• Score: 67
• Previous Rank (2024): 109
• Long-term trend:
  • 2021: 120
  • 2022: 121
  • 2023: 112
  • 2025: 99

Implication:

• Indicates consistent upward trajectory in development indicators
• Reflects progress in basic services, infrastructure, and social sectors

Comparison with Major Countries

• China: Rank 49 (74.4 score)
• USA: Rank 44 (75.2 score)

Neighbourhood Comparison:

• Bhutan: 74
• Nepal: 85
• Bangladesh: 114
• Pakistan: 140
• Sri Lanka: 93
• Maldives: 53

Implication:

• India performs better than some South Asian peers, but lags behind major economies like China

Global Trends – Concern Areas

• Only 17% of SDG targets are on track globally
• Major reasons:
  • Conflicts
  • Structural vulnerabilities
  • Limited fiscal space

Implication:

• Highlights global slowdown in sustainable development
• Necessitates international cooperation and financing reforms

Top Performing Regions & Countries

• Top countries:
  • Finland, Sweden, Denmark
• 19 of top 20 countries are European

Implication:

• Shows European dominance in SDG achievement
• However, even they face:
  • Climate change challenges
  • Biodiversity loss due to unsustainable consumption

Sectoral Progress Globally

Areas of improvement:

• Electricity access (SDG 7)
• Mobile broadband & internet (SDG 9)
• Reduction in under-5 & neonatal mortality (SDG 3)

Areas of regression:

• Obesity (SDG 2)
• Press freedom (SDG 16)
• Biodiversity loss (SDG 15)
• Corruption perceptions (SDG 16)

Implication:

• Progress is uneven across sectors
• Need for balanced and sustainable policy interventions

Regional Progress Trends

• Fastest progress:
  • East & South Asia
• Countries with major gains:
  • Nepal, Cambodia, Philippines, Bangladesh, Mongolia

Implication:

• Reflects rapid socio-economic transformation in Asia

Financing Challenge for SDGs

• Report highlights:
  • Inequitable global financial flows
  • Funds favour developed nations over developing economies
• Recommendation:
  • Reform Global Financial Architecture (GFA)
  • Focus of upcoming FfD4 Conference (Seville, Spain)

Implication:

• Emphasizes need for equitable financing mechanisms
• Critical for achieving SDGs by 2030

STATIC PART

• Report Name: Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025
• Published By: UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network
• Led By: Economist Jeffrey Sachs
• Total Countries Ranked: 167
• Index Basis: Progress on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (adopted in 2015 by UN)
• Top Countries: Finland, Sweden, Denmark
• India Rank: 99

Updated - 24 June 2025 ; 10:19 PM | News Source: The Hindu