The report also delivered a stark reminder: global SDG progress has stalled, and none of the 17 goals are currently on track. Only 17 per cent of the targets are likely to be met by the 2030 deadline, it said
For the first time, India has broken into the top 100 performers in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, ranking 99th in the 2025 edition of the index, as per the latest report by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
India’s SDG score of 67 marks a significant improvement from its 116th position in 2017 and 109th rank in 2024, showcasing measurable progress across sectors aligned with the global development agenda.
The 2025 Sustainable Development Report (SDR), which marks the 10th edition of the global rankings, noted that while European countries continue to dominate the top spots, East and South Asia have recorded faster progress compared to other regions.
Countries such as Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Mongolia have emerged as the fastest movers since the SDGs were launched in 2015. China also climbed the ranks to enter the top 50 for the first time.
Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, President of the SDSN and lead author of the report, emphasized the importance of global cooperation. “Amid rising geopolitical tensions, widening inequalities, and the climate crisis, the SDGs remain the roadmap to peace, equity, and well-being,” he said.
Sachs highlighted that while several countries are making commendable strides, much more can be achieved through greater investments in education, green technologies, and digital innovation. “Above all, we need peace and global cooperation to achieve the SDGs,” he added.
The report also delivered a stark reminder: global SDG progress has stalled, and none of the 17 goals are currently on track. Only 17 per cent of the targets are likely to be met by the 2030 deadline, it said.
It blamed conflicts, fiscal constraints, and deep-rooted structural vulnerabilities for hindering progress, particularly in developing and emerging economies.
The SDGs, adopted in 2015 by all UN member states, aim to eradicate poverty, ensure equality, and protect the planet—promising no one is left behind in the development journey.
