India’s Rank in Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025

Syllabus: Sustainable Development & Governance GS III(UPSC)

Source: NDTV

Why In News:

India has secured a position in the Top 100 (99th rank) for the first time in the Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025, released by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). This marks the 10th edition of the global report.

What is the Sustainable Development Report (SDR)?

It is the world’s leading ranking of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 193 UN member countries.
Released by: UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)
Theme of 2025 Edition:
- Financing SDGs by 2030
- Reforming the Global Financial Architecture (GFA)

Global Highlights from SDR 2025:

Top Performers:
- 1st: Finland
- 2nd: Sweden
- 3rd: Denmark
Strong Global Participation:
- 190 out of 193 UN countries submitted Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), showing strong global commitment.
Regions Showing Fastest Progress:
- East and South Asia, due to socio-economic growth and focused policies.
Top Improvers:
- Nepal (+11.1 points)
- Benin (+14.5 points)
- UAE (+9.9 points)
- Peru (+8.7 points)
Europe’s Leadership:
- 19 of the top 20 performers are European nations, reflecting long-term investment in social welfare and green transitions.
Global Challenges:
- None of the 17 SDGs are fully on track worldwide.
- Only 17% of SDG targets are progressing properly, indicating major implementation gaps.
Multilateralism Rankings:
- Barbados ranks 1st for commitment to the UN system.
- USA ranks last (193rd) due to recent withdrawal from global cooperation mechanisms.

Major Concerns Highlighted in SDR 2025:

Limited Fiscal Space: Nearly half of all countries lack enough resources to fund SDG priorities.
Global Financial Inequality: The existing Global Financial Architecture (GFA) favours rich countries, leaving developing nations underfunded.
Geopolitical Conflicts: Wars and instability are obstructing SDG efforts in fragile states.
Climate Crisis: Climate change is worsening food insecurity, inequality, and biodiversity loss.
Institutional Weakness: Many countries lack good governance, planning capacity, and reliable data for SDG implementation.

India’s Performance in SDR 2025:

Rank: 99th globally — India entered the Top 100 for the first time.
SDG Index Score: Marked steady improvement but challenges remain.
Regional Comparison:
- China: 49th
- Bangladesh: 114th
- Pakistan: 140th
India’s Progress Areas:
- Digital Infrastructure (SDG 9)
- Healthcare (SDG 3)
- Electricity Access (SDG 7)
Key Challenges for India:
- Rising obesity levels (SDG 2)
- Climate action gaps (SDG 13)
- Press freedom concerns (SDG 16)

Recommendations for Achieving SDGs:

Ensure adequate funding for UN-led SDG initiatives.
Introduce debt relief solutions for low-income countries to create fiscal space for SDG investments.
Increase investment in climate action, biodiversity protection, and clean energy.
Reform the Global Financial Architecture (GFA) to align private capital with sustainable development.
Strengthen UN-based multilateral cooperation for equitable global SDG progress.

Conclusion:

While India’s entry into the Top 100 reflects growing commitment to sustainable development, global SDG progress is lagging, and serious efforts are needed to reform international finance, improve governance, and strengthen global cooperation to meet SDG targets by 2030.