Released by: United Nations at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF)
Timeframe: Five years left to achieve SDG 2030 Agenda
Global Warning: 35% of measurable SDG targets are stagnating or reversing
Key Highlights:
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- 713–757 million people affected by hunger (9.1% of global population in 2023)
- 2.33 billion experienced moderate/severe food insecurity
- Regions most affected:
- Sub-Saharan Africa: 23.2% hunger prevalence
- Southern Asia: 281 million facing hunger
SDG 4: Quality Education
- 57% of targets show no progress or are regressing
- Persistent gaps in:
- School completion rates
- Foundational literacy
- Gender parity in education
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- 2.2 billion lack safely managed drinking water
- 3.4 billion without sanitation access
- 1.7 billion lack hygiene services
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- 50% of targets stagnating or regressing
- 57.8% of workers globally in informal employment
- Youth unemployment (2024): 12.9%, nearly 3Ă— adult rate (3.7%)
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Rising global inequality in:
- Income distribution
- Vaccine access
- Climate vulnerability
- Digital divide
- Post-COVID-19: Little progress in redistributive mechanisms
SDG 14: Life Below Water
- 40% of marine targets are regressing
- Escalating threats:
- Ocean acidification
- Overfishing
- Marine pollution
- Least funded SDG, as reiterated at UN Ocean Conference 2025
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Stagnation in:
- Maternal mortality reduction
- Universal health coverage
- Post-pandemic challenges:
- Weakened health systems
- Chronic underinvestment
SDG 12, 15, 16: Responsible Consumption, Life on Land, Peace & Justice
- 40–42% of targets off-track
- Ongoing issues:
- Forest degradation
- Biodiversity loss
- Institutional weakening and governance gaps
Negative Trends Undermining SDG Progress
- Climate Crisis:
- 2024 was the hottest year on record
- WMO: 80% likelihood of continued temperature rise threatening food, water, and health security
- Extreme Poverty:
- Over 800 million remain in extreme poverty
- SDG 1 off-track: Projected 8.9% may still live in poverty by 2030
- Funding Shortfalls:
- 7.1% decline in official development aid (2024)
- $4 trillion annual financing gap in developing countries due to limited affordable capital access
Positive Developments Noted in the SDG Report 2025
- HIV/AIDS:
- Global HIV infections dropped 40% since 2010
- Malaria:
- 2.2 billion malaria cases averted
- 12.7 million lives saved since 2000
- Social Protection:
- Now covers over 50% of the global population, boosting inclusive development
