Sustainable Development Goals Indicators Research Articles

The invisible problem of early adolescent pregnancy in the Dominican Republic: a descriptive analysis

Study objectivesThe aim of this article is to describe the problem of pregnancy in girls under 15 years of age in the Dominican Republic in the period 2000–2021, to develop a specific indicator for this age group and describing the related factors. MethodsThis is an exploratory ecological study, based on secondary data sources, such as birth records from the National Statistics Office (NSO) and the Ministry of Public Health (MPH). We calculated the rates of fertility and pregnancy in early adolescence, as well as analyzed their main determining factors and consequences. ResultsFertility Rate in Early Adolescence (FREA) decreases from 6.27 to 1.04 per thousand in the period 2001–2021. The average FREA for 2015–2021 was 1.78. The average Estimated Rate of Pregnancy in Early Adolescence (ERPEA) for the same period was 3.39. Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) were 11,620 years. Years of Life Lost (YLL) were 9,665.9 years. The prevalence of Low Birth Weight (LBW) in the under 15-year-old age group was 14.2 %. ConclusionsPregnancy in childhood implies risks for both the mother and the child, including low birth weight. The official fertility rate is substantially underreported (2.84 vs. 1.79).The fertility rate indicator traditionally used does not accurately measure the number of pregnancies in women, particularly in specific age groups or populations where pregnancies may be interrupted by various factors. Therefore, the use of ERPEA is recommended.We emphasize the need for implementing the proposed indicator for the target group, as well as monitoring Sustainable Development Goal indicator 3.7.2.

A Knowledge Graph-Driven Analysis of the Interlinkages among the Sustainable Development Goal Indicators in Different Spatial Resolutions

The way towards sustainable development is paved through the commitment to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which encompass a wide range of global challenges. The successful progress of these goals depends on the identification and understanding of their interconnected nature. A plethora of data is made available for tracking targets related to the SDGs at country, regional and urban levels. However, various challenges are identified to semantically align and homogeneously represent such data to improve their interoperability, comparability and analysis. In the current work, we provide an innovative solution for analyzing SDG-oriented data based on the development of a Knowledge Graph that provides access to semantically aligned data for the SDGs. We consider Knowledge Graphs as a suitable technology for the representation of data related to the interlinkages among SDGs, since they provide a structured representation of knowledge that incorporates entities, relationships and attributes, organized in a graph format. We examine the interlinkages among indicators of the same SDG, as well as across indicators of the various SDGs. Such interlinkages are further evaluated as synergies or trade-offs. Our analysis is applied in country and regional levels, considering various constraints in terms of data quality and availability. In total 476 synergies are identified at the national level among the SDGs, compared to 140 trade-offs. The SDGs that mostly participate in the synergies are SDGs 17, 10, 9 and 8, while SDGs 7 and 16 participate in most of the trade-offs. At the regional level, SDGs 8, 4 and 9 are more active in terms of interlinkages.

Mapping Gender Gap in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in India

This paper intends to analyse the efforts made by India to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It prepares a thorough analysis of the gender challenges in each of the Goals. The interconnectedness of the Goals established in this paper makes it necessary to adopt a holistic approach to promoting gender equality and inclusion. The analyses of data on India include examining the present status, analysing the trend in attaining the target for chosen indicators and projecting the status of India for 2030.

Efficiency and greenness evaluation of urban land use change in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China

AbstractImproving urban land use efficiency and greenness is essential for achieving sustainable urban development and improving the well‐being of urban settlements. Using satellite‐based land use data, socioeconomic data, and sustainable development goal (SDG) indicators, we quantified the changes in the urban land use efficiency and greenness under rapid urban expansion in provincial cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) from 1990 to 2020. Over this period, urban area increased significantly, by 254.57%, at a rate of 191.41 km2 per year in the YREB, as national macro‐policies shifted the center of urban expansion westward. Nevertheless, the urban land use efficiency and greenness have both increased. The ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate increased from 0.55 in 1990–2000 to 0.83 in 2010–2020 in the YREB, accompanied by an increase in the investment output ratio of fixed assets. In addition, the population‐weighted greenspace exposure increased by 5.31%, due to an 8.16% increase in the urban greenspace coverage, which improved the urban living environment amidst substantial urban population growth. We emphasize the importance of fostering coordinated development between central and western cities in the YREB. The results provide an important reference for the rational allocation of land resources, improving land use efficiency, and building resilient cities within global urbanization hotspots under the SDG framework.

Exploring Consumer Preference for Sustainable Design Attributes in Music-Inspired Products: Integration of Sustainable Development Goals

Music, as a transcultural art form, offers auditory enjoyment and conveys profound emotion and distinctive imagery. In the era of emotional consumption and within contemporary consumer culture, elements of musical imagery have become intricately entwined with product design, providing consumers with deeper visual and emotional experiences. We explored consumers’ cognitions and preferences concerning the integration of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators into the attributes of music-related imagery products. The Attractiveness Ergonomics IPA (Importance-Performance Analysis) and IRPA (Importance-Relative Performance Analysis) methods were used to evaluate attractiveness and impact on consumer satisfaction. The results showed how music-related imagery products integrate art, culture, and social responsibility to attain a more profound influence. They also unveiled product design elements such as “visual aesthetics” and “color selection” to attract consumers. Additionally, the significance of incorporating SDG indicators into the design of music-related imagery products was found to increase social responsibility and sustainable development. The study’s outcomes allow for a deeper understanding of consumers’ preferences and requirements concerning the design attributes with SDG indicators in music-related imagery products. Valuable insights for the design and marketing of such products propel the application and dissemination of sustainable development goals within the realm of music.

Atlas 2022 of African health Statistics: Key results towards achieving the health-related SDGs targets

IntroductionThe Atlas 2022 of African Health Statistics is a comprehensive tool that gives an overview of the health ecosystem in the African region. As such, it tracks progress towards globally agreed objectives, such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), assesses the capacity of African countries to achieve them, and helps policymakers identify gaps and areas requiring substantial reinforcement. MethodsWe analyzed health-related SDGs’ key indicators in the Atlas 2022 of African Health Statistics. This platform is a nexus for consistent and comparable data sources across countries. A review of studies addressing the evolution of health-related SDG indicators in Africa was also considered for discussion and recommendations. ResultsHunger and different forms of malnutrition remain prevalent in the Region. Maternal and neonatal mortality is still high compared to other regions, with increasing incidences of non-communicable diseases and poor mechanisms to address mental health issues. Many inequalities are noted in violence against women, access to health services, or access to water and basic sanitation, which is exacerbated in rural areas. Regarding achieving the SDGs, the trend of most indicators shows they will be challenging to perform at the Regional level. However, a few countries are on track to achieve some goals. These results clearly show that countries have different experiences and, therefore, different progress in achieving sustainable development goals. The delays experienced by many countries in terms of development in other sectors, such as climate and the environment, poverty reduction and economic growth, equity and justice, etc., will make it even more difficult to achieve the health-related SDGs. Achieving these goals should, therefore, be seen as a transdisciplinary and inclusive process. ConclusionBeyond the COVID-19 pandemic that has recently challenged health systems worldwide, the African Region is also dealing with several threats, jeopardizing its progress toward achieving the SDGs by 2030. Given the Region’s particular context, a readjustment of the regional targets and/or deadlines would be advisable to ensure they are achievable.

The SDGs Provide Limited Evidence That Environmental Policies Are Delivering Multiple Ecological and Social Benefits

AbstractThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming for global targets by 2030, are tracked by a monitoring framework comprising 231 environmental, social, and economic indicators. The framework provides data to assess whether, across countries, environmental policies are: (a) Addressing environmental pressures, (b) Linked to environmental improvements, and (c) Linked with social benefits delivered by healthy environments. While several studies have analyzed the implementation and impacts of the SDGs, there remains a critical research gap in assessing the linkage between environmental policies and their potential to deliver multiple ecological and social benefits. This study examines the efficacy of environmental policies and their implications for global environmental health and social wellbeing. We use a generalized linear modeling approach to test for correlations between SDG indicators. We show that some environmental policies, particularly protected areas and sustainable forest certification, are linked with environmental improvements, mainly in forest and water ecosystems. However, we find no evidence that environmental improvements are linked with positive social impacts. Finally, environmental pressures, including freshwater withdrawal, domestic material consumption, and tourism, are linked with environmental degradation. Environmental policy responses are generally increasing across countries. Despite this, the state of the environment globally continues to decline. Governments must focus on understanding why environmental policies have not been sufficient to reverse environmental decline, particularly concerning the pressures that continue to degrade the environment. To better track progress toward sustainable development, we recommend that the SDG monitoring framework is supplemented with additional indicators on the state of the environment.

Transdisciplinary approaches to local sustainability: aligning local governance and navigating spillovers with global action towards the Sustainable Development Goals

AbstractIn an evolving world, effectively managing human–natural systems under uncertainty becomes paramount, particularly when targeting the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The complexity in multi-actor decision-making and multi-sectoral settings, coupled with intricate relationships and potential conflicting management approaches, makes understanding the local implications of progressing towards the global SDGs challenging. We used a transdisciplinary approach for knowledge co-production with local stakeholders to assess the impact of local action to boost sustainability in the Goulburn–Murray region, Victoria, Australia, and its alignment with global action towards the SDGs. Together, we co-developed 11 local actions geared towards achieving four locally important environmental and socioeconomic SDGs, with a particular emphasis on addressing potential ‘spillovers’—unintended effects that influence SDGs across scales. Through system dynamics modelling, we evaluated the interplay between these local actions and global scenarios, emphasising their synergies, trade-offs, and the resulting impact on SDG indicators. Key findings indicate a predominant synergy between global and local actions across most SDG indicators. However, certain areas like dairy production, riverine algal blooms, and agricultural profit displayed trade-offs. Local actions significantly impacted indicators, such as crop production, dairy output, agricultural land use, and agricultural profitability. Findings highlighted the need for complementary actions in areas, such as water availability management, skilled workforce, and salinity control. This study underscored the importance of harmonising local initiatives with global sustainability objectives and can inspire local governance to champion resilience policies that harmoniously integrate local actions with global sustainability goals, adapting to evolving uncertainty scenarios. Graphical abstract

Policy planning and practical implementations of coastal adaptation strategies to reduce the impact of sea level rise in the coastal region of Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India

Coastal adaptation is a scientific process, and social, economic, and political adjustment of coastal management policies to minimize the climate impact and increase the resilience in the coastal system. The Kanyakumari coastal region encompasses industrial, ecological, residential and tourist hotspots with high sensitivity for the impact of sea level rise. We used mixed policy tools to evaluate the impact in the coastal region and develop adaptation strategies which are integrated into existing management. To be an effective implementation of adaptation policy, we propose five guiding principles: (i) Develop a coastal settlement management plan for accelerated sea level rise in each fishing hamlet by incorporating the plan into sub district planning. (ii) Entitle a Multipurpose Cyclone Shelter (MCS) in each fishing hamlet and each one access for refugee seekers during a cyclone and later for internally displaced persons (IDPs). (iii) Develop a database system at village level to set up the coastal adaptation policies against sea level rise and a database system should be update time to time (climate, population, migrants, vulnerability data). (iv) Setup an Agricultural Conservation Practices (ACP) and Wetland Reclamation Plan (WRP) in the wetland-rich coastal plain region. (v) Practical approaches to linking the coastal adaptation plan in the study area to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets and indicators are proposed.

Bridging Sustainable Development Goals and Land Administration: The Role of the ISO 19152 Land Administration Domain Model in SDG Indicator Formalization

This study illustrates the linkages between the ISO’s Land Administration Domain Model (LADM) and the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), highlighting the role of the LADM in promoting effective land administration suitable for efficient computation of land/water (space)-related SDG indicators. The main contribution of this study is the formalization of SDG indicators by using the ISO standard LADM. This paper proposes several SDG-indicator-related extensions to the multi-part LADM standard that is currently under revision. These extensions encompass the introduction of new procedures for calculating indicators, the integration of blueprints for external classes to fulfil additional information needs and the design of interface classes for presenting indicator values across specific countries and reporting years. In an innovative approach, this paper introduces the Four-Step Method—a powerful framework designed to formalize SDG indicators within the LADM framework. Detailed attention is devoted to specific indicators, including 1.4.2 (secure land rights), 5.a.1 (women’s agricultural land rights), 14.5.1 (protected marine areas) and 11.5.2 (valuation as a basis for direct economic loss). In short, the Four-Step Method is pivotal in eliminating ambiguities, enhancing the efficiency of indicator computation and securing more accurate indicator values that more truly reflect the progress towards SDG realization. This approach is also expected to work with other (ISO) standards for other SDG indicators.

Business reporting of Sustainable Development Goals: Global trends and implications

AbstractWith a reported insufficient progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), improving knowledge on the uptake and use of SDGs within the private sector is imperative. To address this need, we examine the SDG reporting characteristics of 8500 companies using a global business and governance database. Our results show no correlation in reporting specific goals, which could impede progress toward other goals. A disconnection between corporate sustainability performances and SDG reporting is also observed, meaning companies may select and report specific SDGs arbitrarily without rooting them with actual sustainability performances. These findings question the motivation and effectiveness of current SDG reporting and call for more guidance on SDG indicator selection and performance assessment. Looking ahead, SDG communication practices are anticipated to change due to the advent of new corporate sustainability reporting regulations. We therefore call for continuous monitoring of SDG adoption, uptake, and communication in businesses.

Urban Sustainability Development in Morocco, a Review

During the last decades, Morocco has recorded substantial urbanization and faced challenges related to urban sprawl and encroachment on fertile lands. This paper reviews several studies assessing urban sustainability development in 27 Moroccan urban areas using the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 11.3.1, i.e., the ratio of Land Consumption Rate (LCR) to Population Growth Rate (PGR). Among the 27 urban areas reviewed, analysis of SDG 11.3.1 data revealed that only 7 exhibited trends towards sustainable urban development, while the remaining 20 showed a divergence from the sustainability objectives. We analyze the studies, conducted between 2020 and 2023, describing in depth the relationship between LCRs and PGRs, and provide a comprehensive summary of the SDG 11.3.1 outcome, discussing along the way methodological variations, and introducing a new concept for the evaluation of urban land consumption. The review reveals disparate regional urban development trends, emphasizing the need for local land tenure rules. Additionally, the study discusses how the SDG 11.3.1 reacts under the influence of several parameters such as land characteristics, climate, and geographic location. While the study acknowledges the limitations of SDG 11.3.1, it found that the indicator provides valuable insights into trends and comparisons, and should offer assistance to stakeholders, urban planners, and decision makers in their pursuit of sustainable development. However, these identified limitations underscore the need for a more comprehensive and multidimensional urban sustainability development indicator, capable of better addressing the complexities of the urban environment.

Analysis of trends in productivity metrics in assessing land degradation: A case study in the Campania region of southern Italy

Land degradation is a critical issue at a global level and its progressive increasing greatly reduces soil ecosystem services. In this context, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, defined the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and indicated some targets of particular interest for a territory to be integrated into short- and medium-term national programs. Target 15.3, which aims to end desertification and restore degraded lands, is currently monitored by indicator 15.3.1, measured as the combination of three sub-indicators (trends in land cover change, land productivity and carbon stocks) as suggested by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the custodian agency for the SDG indicator. In our opinion, this assessment shows some weakness that are generally caused by a lack of information from direct field observations. The greatest limitation regards land productivity dynamics linked to the NDVI trajectory adopted by the UNCCD methodological approach. For this reason, the paper proposes an alternative approach that consists of using annual maximum NDVI value assessments instead of annual mean values for trajectory calculation. To come to these conclusions, the study addresses a reliability assessment by using remote sensing techniques via the Google Earth Engine (GEE) and analysing the NDVI evolution over time at 450 locations spread around the Campania region (southern Italy). To this end, a customised Graphical User Interface (GUI) was built on the GEE platform and a Google Earth time slider tool was applied to visualize land cover changes which occurred at each location over a period of 18 years (2001–2018). The survey was carried out on MODIS and Landsat 7 collections and showed that the new approach had a better performance than the UNCCD approach (90 % vs 62 % of successful reliability tests, up to 96 % considering results from Landsat images). The application of maximum NDVI values to assess productivity dynamics spatially shows, with regard to UNCCD data, more than double the percentages of degraded and stable lands and a drastic reduction in improved areas within the Campania region. Overall, this innovative approach appears to agree more closely with ground truth and the use of finer resolution data is more suitable for investigating land degradation processes within a regional context.

The Linkage Between Economic Growth and Ecology of Urban Area Development in Indonesia: A Systematic Review

In this decade there are often disasters and other things of natural damage that have an impact on the lives of the global community. Pollution and disasters are the reasons for the difficulty of realizing sustainable development goals indicators. Rapid economic growth accompanied by large population growth and energy fulfilment needs every year causes a surge in global-scale crises. The industrial area that was formed is also increasingly expanding which cannot be ignored that land use has also changed. In this study, we will examine the relationship between economic growth and ecological conditions in urban development areas in Indonesia. This study uses a qualitative description method with a systematic literature review approach. The findings of this study are that economic growth is a major cause of environmental damage by industrial activity and the expansion of urban development areas. Even so, prevention efforts by examining more deeply each aspect by involving every party, including architecture, to be able to realize sustainable development.

Productive and Decent Work Employment Opportunities: Reflections of Sustainable Development Goal 8

This study measures the impact of seven indicators of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Goal 8, which is about productive and decent work and employment opportunities in India. The study employs pooled ordinary least squares (POLS) methods to capture the impact of seven indicators— annual growth rate of real GDP per capita, ease of doing business, unemployment rate, labour force participation rate, participation of informal workers, fatal and non-fatal occupation injuries, and banking outlets, on SDG 8, for 2018-2021. The findings reveal that the annual growth rate of real GDP per capita, labour force participation rate, and ease of doing business influence SDG 8’s score positively and significantly. On the contrary, the unemployment rate impacts sustainable score value negatively and significantly. The inferences of the study did not unwrap a significant effect of the percentage of workers in the informal sector, fatal and non-fatal occupation injuries and the number of banking outlets on SDG8. The study recommends reducing unemployment and increasing labour force participation rates in the economy for sustainability. At the same time, policymakers must focus on enhancing the ease of doing business and the annual growth rate of real GDP per capita to realise decent work and employment opportunities. To advance sustainable development goals, especially SDG 8, fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth is the need of the hour.

Sustainability of Agricultural Practices in Various Agro-Ecological Zones of Bhutan

Bhutan’s agriculture sector has consistently advocated sustainable agricultural practices, yet it grapples with a range of interconnected challenges. These challenges encompass limited arable land, labour shortages, human-wildlife conflicts, and inadequate irrigation facilities, outbreaks of pests and diseases, and impacts of climate change. Therefore, this study assessed the sustainability of agricultural practices at the farm level across three agro-ecological zones: dry subtropical, cool temperate, and alpine. A total of 392 households were selected through simple random sampling for face-to-face interviews. The data collection, analysis, and reporting adhered to the guidelines of Sustainable Development Goals Indicator 2.4.1. The study focused on three dimensions of sustainability, comprising eight themes and eight sub-indicators for agriculture sustainability. The sustainability status was visualized using traffic light approach: green for desirable, yellow for acceptable and red for unsustainable. Results showed social dimensions across the study areas were in a desirable status. The environmental dimension exhibited desirable status in alpine zone. However, around 60% of agricultural land in dry subtropical and 77% in cool temperate zones have acceptable fertilizer management, while about 38% and 23% respectively fall into unsustainable category. Similarly, only about 73% of agricultural areas in the cool temperate zone are in acceptable status in pesticide management, and 23% under unsustainable status. Furthermore, the economic dimension across agro-ecological zones displayed unsustainable status in farm output value with 30% of farms in cool temperate, 78% in dry subtropical, and 74% in alpine zones. Strategic interventions are imperative in addressing economic and environmental dimensions to promote resilient and sustainable agricultural practices in Bhutan and analogous regions. Findings underscore the importance of identifying that similar impacts could potentially extend to other dry subtropical regions worldwide.

Agrivoltaics: Synergies and trade-offs in achieving the sustainable development goals at the global and local scale

The 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a set of aspirational objectives for the world, addressing interlinked themes including poverty, hunger, and climate action. Meeting these goals requires a similarly integrated and interdisciplinary approach. One component of such an approach may be agrivoltaic systems (AVS): dual use solar and agricultural systems wherein crops are grown beneath and between solar panels. Given their intersectoral nature, AVS will have complex impacts on the achievement of the SDGs. This analysis seeks to evaluate how AVS could impact progress towards the SDGs based on literature around the impacts of agriculture, solar, and AVS, and the indicators measuring progress towards the SDGs. It uses a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) framework and applies it in a unique way to understand the direct and immediate impacts to the SDGs following the installation of an AVS (i.e., strengths and weaknesses), and the potential impacts on the SDGs based on secondary or supplementary actions taken once an AVS is installed (i.e., opportunities and threats). Though the most obvious of AVS' impacts to the SDGs will be on Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), evaluation of individual indicators shows that AVS can quantifiably impact 14 out of 17 SDGs, largely in a positive manner. However, evaluating impacts on the SDGs indicator by indicator also reveals possible negative, and unexpected, consequences of AVS. Yet, impacts on the SDGs will vary by location-specific factors such as climate, and so this analysis concludes with an application of the SWOT framework in Ethiopia for a farm where an AVS is under consideration. Altogether, this work should provide a means for evaluating the impacts of AVS on SDGs and insights into how to mitigate possible detrimental impacts while capitalizing on benefits.

THE IMPACT OF INNOVATION SUPPORT ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ENTERPRISES

Today, the problems of devaluation of the environment, depletion of natural resources, and social and economic crises are increasingly deepening. The issue of sustainable development at the enterprise level is becoming a necessity, not just a regulatory requirement. The critical role in this process is played by innovative support capable of reforming the existing approaches to the problems mentioned above. The study aims to determine the relationship and mutual influence between the indicators of innovation support and sustainable development of enterprises and to form recommendations based on the results using the methods of correlation analysis, multivariate regression, and case study. The study revealed a close correlation between the indicators of innovation support, which are represented in the study by the Global Innovation Index with its sub-indices, and such Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators as the “Logistics Performance Index: Quality of trade and transport-related infrastructure” and “Electronic waste (kg/capita)”. It has been determined that the first indicator is most strongly influenced by institutions and infrastructure, and the second is influenced by institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, and market structure. The recommendations formed because of the analysis include using electronic systems and resource cycles. The results obtained can be of practical importance and used by both enterprise management and government agencies to optimise the enterprise's logistics system and waste management.

Bibliometric Analysis of Research Hotspots and Frontiers in Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established in 2015, are binding targets for monitoring the sustainable status of all countries in the world. Developing localized SDGs indicator systems, assessing SDGs progress comprehensively, and creating policy tools have gradually become the hotspots of scientific research and practical application of the SDGs. To systematically sort out the research status of the SDGs progress and identify problematic gaps, this paper uses bibliometric methods to analyse the scientific knowledge mapping of SDGs research, sort out the general characteristics, scientific cooperation, cutting-edge hotspots and future research trends of SDGs research. Besides, this paper promotes the integration of academic research into concrete practice by linking it to mainstream SDGs progress reports. The results show that: ① The amount of SDGs research literature in 2015–2022 is on a growing trend, and the existing research is characterised by multidisciplinary crossover. Research institutions such as Utrecht University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have contributed the most to SDGs research. ② The research hotspots include the SDGs practice of different responsible subjects, the comprehensive assessment of the progress of SDGs, the scientific research of SDGs indicators, and the research on the interaction between the goals of SDGs. ③ Environmental issues, indicators, energy transition, education and agriculture are the hot directions of SDGs research. Energy saving and carbon reduction, sustainable practices of supply chain management, and promoting the progress of environmental dimension goals are the focus of subsequent research. According to the results of the bibliometric analysis, future SDGs research should pay attention to strengthening multi-party cooperation, using innovative technologies to support the assessment of SDGs progress, and formulating sustainable development strategies.

Economic Development, Industrialization, and Poverty Eradication: A Benchmarking Analysis of Developing, Emerging, and Developed Countries

This study utilizes benchmarking techniques to monitor productivity change in relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 8, and 9, addressing the challenges faced by countries in interpreting measures. The first SDG 1, “No Poverty”, aims to completely eliminate poverty. The objective of SDG 8, “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, is to foster comprehensive economic advancement. Finally, SDG 9, “Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure”, focuses on the creation of durable and sustainable infrastructure, as well as promoting innovation to drive economic progress. Economic development, job creation, wealth creation, and poverty eradication are crucial for sustainable development. However, there is no other study estimating the evolution of countries’ performance in terms of these SDGs, whether countries have converged or not, and how each of these SDGs contributes to this performance development. This is the main goal of the present study, which compares 85 countries (2010–2020) from different profiles (developing, emerging, and developed) in terms of several SDG indicators. We applied data envelopment analysis (DEA) and Malmquist productivity indices that quantify changes in efficiency and technology over time to assess productivity dynamics and improvements. Results showed that emerging countries showed the highest productivity development, followed by developing countries and finally developed countries. The slower productivity development in developed countries indicates stagnation, allowing emerging countries to converge in terms of wealth creation, distribution, and poverty reduction.