India has secured a place among the top 100 countries in the world for the first time in terms of progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This was revealed in the latest Sustainable Development Report (SDR), published by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

India now ranks 99th out of 193 countries with a score of 67 on the 2025 SDG Index. This marks a significant improvement and shows India’s efforts to meet the global goals set by the United Nations in 2015. These goals, known as the SDGs, include targets to reduce poverty, improve health and education, fight climate change, and protect the environment.

Other major countries ranked higher on the index. China is placed 49th with a score of 74.4, and the United States stands at 44th with 75.2 points.

Among India’s neighbouring countries, Bhutan ranks 74th with a score of 70.5, Nepal is 85th with 68.6, Bangladesh is at 114th with 63.9, and Pakistan ranks 140th with a score of 57. Meanwhile, India’s maritime neighbours, Maldives and Sri Lanka, are placed at 53rd and 93rd, respectively.

Global progress still slow, warns UN report

Even though India and some countries have shown progress, the global picture remains worrying. The report’s authors, including well-known economist Jeffrey Sachs, said, “Conflicts, structural vulnerabilities and limited fiscal space impede SDG progress in many parts of the world."

The report notes that overall SDG progress has slowed down. Out of the 17 goals set in 2015, only 17 percent are likely to be achieved by the target year 2030. This shows that the world is falling behind on its commitments.

European countries, especially the Nordic countries, are still leading in SDG performance. Finland ranks first, Sweden second, and Denmark third. In fact, 19 out of the top 20 countries in the SDG Index are from Europe.

However, even the top-performing countries face problems. The report said they struggle with at least two goals, especially those related to climate and biodiversity. This is mainly because of "unsustainable consumption".

South and East Asia show fast progress since 2015

The report praised the progress made by countries in East and South Asia. It said that this region has outperformed all others since 2015, mostly due to "rapid socioeconomic development".

Some of the fastest-improving countries in this region include Nepal (+11.1), Cambodia (+10), the Philippines (+8.6), Bangladesh (+8.3), and Mongolia (+7.7). Other countries showing fast progress are Benin (+14.5), Peru (+8.7), the United Arab Emirates (+9.9), Uzbekistan (+12.1), Costa Rica (+7), and Saudi Arabia (+8.1).

The report also noted that while most UN countries have improved access to basic services like electricity, internet, and healthcare, five targets have shown major setbacks. These are obesity rate, press freedom, sustainable nitrogen management, the Red List Index (biodiversity), and corruption.

US ranks last on global commitment

The report also ranks countries based on their commitment to the UN’s multilateral goals. The United States ranks last (193rd) for the second year in a row. It noted that the U.S. had "formally declared its opposition to the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda" and also withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

On the other hand, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago are the top three countries most committed to UN multilateralism. Among G20 nations, Brazil ranks highest at 25, and among OECD countries, Chile ranks seventh.

The report was released ahead of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain, which will be held from June 30 to July 3. It highlights the need to fix the global financial system, saying, “Money flows readily to rich countries and not to the emerging and developing economies (EMDEs) that offer higher growth potential and rates of return.”

It adds, “At the top of the agenda at FfD4 is the need to reform the GFA so that capital flows in far larger sums to the EMDEs.”

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