India at 99th Position in UN Sustainable Development Goals Index

New Delhi, June 24, 2025

India has made a landmark entry into the top 100 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index for the first time, securing the 99th position among 193 countries. This milestone is featured in the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s latest Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025.

India Ranks 99th with a Score of 67

The report assigns India an SDG Index score of 67.  China ranks 49th with a score of 74.4, while the United States stands at 44th with 75.2 points. In South Asia:

• Bhutan ranks 74th (70.5)
• Nepal at 85th (68.6)
• Bangladesh at 114th (63.9)
• Pakistan at 140th (57)

India’s maritime neighbours, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, are placed at 53rd and 93rd, respectively.

Global Progress Stalls: Only 17% of Targets on Track

Despite regional improvements, the report highlights stagnation in global SDG progress. Only 17% of the 17 targets adopted in 2015 are projected to be achieved by 2030. Conflicts, structural vulnerabilities, and constrained fiscal capacity are cited as key barriers to progress.

Asia Leads in SDG Progress Since 2015

The report applauds East and South Asia for leading SDG improvements since 2015, driven by rapid socio-economic growth. The fastest risers (by SDG score gains) include:

• Nepal (+11.1 points)
• Cambodia (+10)
• Philippines (+8.6)
• Bangladesh (+8.3)
• Mongolia (+7.7)

Globally, other strong performers include Benin (+14.5), Uzbekistan (+12.1), UAE (+9.9), Saudi Arabia (+8.1), Peru (+8.7), and Costa Rica (+7).

Access to Basic Services Improves Globally

Several nations, including India, have made significant strides in:

• Access to electricity (SDG 7)
• Internet and mobile broadband connectivity (SDG 9)
• Reducing under-five and neonatal mortality (SDG 3)

However, the report flags concerning reversals in five areas since 2015:

1. Obesity (SDG 2)
2. Press freedom (SDG 16)
3. Nitrogen management (SDG 2)
4. Biodiversity (Red List Index) (SDG 15)
5. Corruption Perception (SDG 16)

US Ranks Last for Multilateral Commitment

For the second year in a row, the United States ranks 193rd, last for its lack of commitment to multilateralism, following its withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the WHO, and its formal opposition to the SDGs. In contrast, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago top the multilateralism rankings, followed by Chile (among OECD) and Brazil (among G20).

Call for Reform in Global Financial Architecture

The SDR 2025 calls for reforms in the global financial system to better support emerging and developing economies (EMDEs). The upcoming 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain, from June 30 to July 3, will focus on addressing the imbalance in capital flows, which disproportionately favour developed nations.

India’s inclusion in the top 100 reflects its steady advancement on critical development fronts and underscores the importance of sustained policy focus on inclusive growth, infrastructure, and global cooperation.

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