Welcome to the fifth edition of SDGSustainable Development Goal Pulse – UNCTAD’s annual statistical publication reporting on developments relating to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development -—
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—- and the SDGsSustainable Development Goal. The purpose of this report is threefold, to: provide an update on the evolution of a selection of official SDG indicators and complementary data and statistics; provide an update on progress in the development of new concepts and methodologies for SDG indicators for which UNCTAD is a global custodian agency; and to showcase how UNCTAD is supporting member States in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. This year for the first time, SDG Pulse monitors progress according to four transformations identified by UNCTAD’s intergovernmental meeting held in Bridgetown.
The report also investigates thematic issues of relevance to the 2030 Agenda – this year, the report discusses, as In-Focus topic, a global perspective on SDG costing with synergistic approaches. Halfway through the 2030 Agenda, information on how much is still needed to reach the SDGs is still scarce. Understanding the costs of achieving SDGs and synergies of spending by sector can support the formulation of effective strategies and policies to accelerate progress towards sustainable development in all countries.
The report is arranged in a way that it can be read by theme, and by goal and indicator.
In the theme view, the indicators are browsable by the four transformations outlined in the Bridgetown Covenant -—
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—-: multilateralism and trade, development finance, diversification, and sustainability and resilience. Through this thematic lens, progress towards a wide range of SDG indicators is discussed, including recent trends in trade, barriers to trade, and food security through trade; financial resource mobilization, investment, debt sustainabilityA country’s capacity to finance its policy objectives through debt instruments and service the ensuing debt -—
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—-., illicit financial flows; sustainable industrialization, transport resilienceThe ability of a system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate, adapt to, transform and recover from the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions through risk management -—
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—-., and digitalization; as well as risks to resilience, transition to sustainable economy and trade.
In the goals-and-indicators view, the content is presented by SDGs and their related indicators. The goals and indicators selected reflect UNCTAD’s mandate in trade and development, investment, finance, and technology. The SDG indicators are supplemented with other data and official statistics to complement the picture. The SDG indicators presented in this report are:
- Indicator 1.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
- Indicator 1.5.2: Direct economic lossDirect economic loss is the monetary value of total or partial destruction of physical assets existing in the affected area. Direct economic loss is nearly equivalent to physical damage -—
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—-. attributed to disasters in relation to global gross domestic productGross domestic product (GDP) is an aggregate measure of production, income and expenditure of an economy. As a production measure, it represents the gross value added, i.e., the output net of intermediate consumption, achieved by all resident units engaged in production, plus any taxes less subsidies on products not included in the value of output. As an income measure, it represents the sum of primary incomes (gross wages and entrepreneurial income) distributed by resident producers, plus taxes less subsidies on production and imports. As an expenditure measure, it depicts the sum of expenditure on final consumption, gross capital formation (i.e., investment, changes in inventories, and acquisitions less disposals of valuables) and exports after deduction of imports -—
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—-. (GDPGross domestic product (GDP) is an aggregate measure of production, income and expenditure of an economy. As a production measure, it represents the gross value added, i.e., the output net of intermediate consumption, achieved by all resident units engaged in production, plus any taxes less subsidies on products not included in the value of output. As an income measure, it represents the sum of primary incomes (gross wages and entrepreneurial income) distributed by resident producers, plus taxes less subsidies on production and imports. As an expenditure measure, it depicts the sum of expenditure on final consumption, gross capital formation (i.e., investment, changes in inventories, and acquisitions less disposals of valuables) and exports after deduction of imports -—
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- Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishmentFor the purposes of SDG Indicator 2.1.1, undernourishment is defined as a dietary energy intake that is below what is needed to retain a minimum acceptable BMI at low physical activity. The prevalence of undernourishment in a population is estimated based on mean and variation of consumption in calories in that population -—
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—-.. - Indicator 2.1.2: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurityFood insecurity is a situation where an individual cannot reliably access or afford healthy food. The FAO describes a moderately food insecure person as someone who cannot afford a healthy diet. has experienced uncertainty about the ability to access food and is likely to skip meals occasionally because of lack of resources. A severely food insecure person has at times run out of food and has during the last year gone a whole day without food. For SDG indicator 2.1.2, food insecurity is estimated based on survey data using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale developed by FAO. It consists of eight questions pertaining to whether the respondents or their families have reduced the quantity or quality of consumed food over the last 12 months because of lack of resources. -—
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—- in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). - Indicator 2.b.1: Agricultural export subsidiesExport subsidies refer to the granting of support by governments to some beneficiary entity or entities to achieve export objectives. Export subsidiesmay involve direct payments to a firm, industry, producers of a certain agricultural product etc. to achieve some type of export performance. In addition, export subsidies may include low-cost export loans, rebates on imported raw materials and tax benefits such as duty-free imports of raw material. They can also take the form of government financed marketing. Most subsidies have existed in agriculture -—
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—-.. - Indicator 2.c.1: Indicator of (food) price anomalies.
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation.
- Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
- Indicator 8.9.1: Tourism direct GDPTourism direct GDP measures direct contributions of tourism to the national economy, since tourism does not exist as a separate industry in the standard industrial classification. Instead, it is embedded in various other industries. (no SDG metadata) as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate
- Indicator 8.a.1 Aid for Trade commitmentsAid for Trade commitment is a firm obligation, expressed in writing and backed by the necessary funds, undertaken by an official donor to provide specified assistance to a recipient country or a multilateral organisation -—
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—-. and disbursements
Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Indicator 9.1.2: Passenger and freight volumes, by mode of transport.*
- Indicator 9.2.1: Manufacturing value addedManufacturing value added (MVA) is the net-output of all resident manufacturing activity units. It is obtained by adding up their outputs and subtracting intermediate inputs -—
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—-. Manufacturing can broadly be understood as "the physical or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products" -—
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—-, consisting of sector C in the International Standard Industrial Classification of all Economic Activities (ISIC) revision 4 -—
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—-. as a proportion of GDP and per capita - Indicator 9.2.2: Manufacturing employment as a proportion of total employment
- Indicator 9.4.1: CO2Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colourless, odourless and non-poisonous gas formed by combustion of carbon and in the respiration of living organisms -—
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—-. emissionEmission is the discharge of pollutants into the atmosphere from stationary sources such as smokestacks, other vents, surface areas of commercial or industrial facilities and mobile sources, for example, motor vehicles, locomotives and aircraft -—
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—-. per unit of value added - Indicator 9.5.1: Research and developmentResearch and development (R&D) comprise creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge – including knowledge of humankind, culture and society – and to devise new applications of available knowledge -—
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—-. expenditure as a proportion of GDP - Indicator 9.5.2: Researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants
- Indicator 9.b.1: Proportion of medium and high-tech industryMedium and high-tech industry is an industry in which producers of goods incur relatively high expenditure on research and development (R&D) per unit of output. The distinction between low, medium, and high-tech industries is based on R&D intensity, i.e. the ratio of R&D expenditure to an output measure, usually gross value added. For a list of the particular economic activities, considered to be medium and high-tech -—
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—-. value added in total value added - Indicator 9.c.1: Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology
- Indicator 10.a.1: Proportion of tariff linesA single item in a country’s tariff schedule -—
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—-. with zero-tariff* - Indicator 10.b.1: Total resource flowsIn the context of the IAEG-SDG, these flows quantify the overall expenditures that donors provide to developing countries, including official and private flows, both concessional and non-concessional. Specifically, they include ODA, OOFs and private flows -—
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—-. for development
Goal 12: Responsible consumption & production
- Indicator 12.5.1: National recycling rateNational recycling rate is defined as the quantity of material recycled in the country plus quantities exported for recycling minus material imported intended for recycling out of total waste generated in the country. Note that recycling includes codigestion/anaerobic digestion and composting/aerobic process, but not controlled combustion (incineration) or land application. 𝑅𝑒𝑐𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 = (𝑀𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑑 + 𝑀𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 − 𝑀𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔) × 100 / 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑤𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 -—
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—-., tons of material recycled. - Indicator 12.6.1: Number of companies publishing sustainability reports*
- Indicator 14.4.1: Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels
- Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area
- Indicator 15.5.1: Red List IndexThe Red List Index (RLI) allows countries to track their progress towards targets for reducing biodiversity loss shows trends in overall extinction risk for species. It is based on changes in the number of species in each category of extinction risk on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. A value of 1 equates to all species qualifying as least concern, i.e., not expected to become extinct in the near future. A value of 0 equates to all species having gone extinct. -—
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Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
- Indicator 16.4.1: Total value of inward and outward illicit financial flows*
Goal 17: Partnership for the goals
- Indicator 17.2.1: Net official development assistanceOfficial Development Assistance (ODA) are resource flows to countries and territories which are: (a) undertaken by the official sector; (b) with promotion of economic development and welfare as the main objective; (c) at concessional financial terms (implying a minimum grant element depending on the recipient country and the type of loan). In addition to financial flows, technical co-operation is also included -—
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—-., total and to LDCsLeast developed country - Indicator 17.3.1: Additional financial resources mobilized for developing countries from multiple sources*
- Indicator 17.4.1: Debt servicePayments made to satisfy a debt obligation, including principal, interest and any late payment fees -—
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—-. as a share of exports of goods and services - Indicator 17.5.1: Implement investment promotion regimes for LDCs*
- Indicator 17.6.1: Fixed Internet broadbandA general term meaning a telecommunications signal or device of greater bandwidth, in some sense, than another standard or usual signal or device. In data communications, this refers to a data transmission rate of at least 256 kbit/s. In the context of Internet, this can be delivered via fixed (wired) or mobile networks -—
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—-. subscriptions - Indicator 17.8.1: Proportion of individuals using the Internet
- Indicator 17.10.1: Worldwide weighted tariff-averageWeighted average of tariffs applied to imports of goods in HS chapter 01-97. The tariffs are weighted by the value of the imported goods to which they are applied. It is expressed as percentage of the value of goods imported. The average level of customs tariff rates applied worldwide can be used as an indicator of the degree of success achieved by multilateral negotiations and regional trade agreements. See metadata for indicator 17.10.1 -—
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—-.* - Indicator 17.11.1 Developing countries and LDCs' share of global exports*
- Indicator 17.12.1: TariffsTariffs “are customs duties on merchandise imports, levied either on an ad valorem basis (percentage of value) or on a specific basis (e.g. $7 per 100 kg). Tariffs can be used to create a price advantage for similar locally produced goods and for raising government revenues. Trade remedy measures and taxes are not considered to be tariffs.” -—
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—- faced by developing countries, LDCs and SIDSSmall island developing states (SIDS) were recognized as a distinct group of developing countries at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. More information on UNCTAD official page.*
The indicators for which UNCTAD is a custodian or co-custodian fall under goals 10, 12, 16 and 17, covering topics related to trade, tariffs, development finance, debt, investment, sustainable transport, illicit financial flows, and enterprise sustainability.
Custodian agencies of SDG indicators, including UNCTAD, are responsible for developing international standards and recommending methodologies for monitoring SDG indicators. They are also tasked with compiling and verifying country data and metadata, and for submitting the data, along with regional and global aggregates, to the global SDG report and database updated by the United Nations Statistics Division.
To see UNCTAD custodian indicators and find related SDG Pulse sections, click on the graph.
This part presents some case studies from UNCTAD’s development programme from a statistical perspective – presenting UNCTAD’s activities and successes in hard numbers. These case studies are important as they also illustrate the Results Based Management approach adopted by UNCTAD – helping us to improve our responsiveness and accountability to member states. In 2023, new insights into UNCTAD’s activities in supporting member States are provided, e.g., in measuring South-South cooperationBroad framework of collaboration among countries of the Global South in the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental and technical domains. It includes trade, FDI, regional integration efforts, technology transfers, sharing of solutions and experts, and other forms. Involving two or more developing countries, it can take place on a bilateral, regional, intraregional or interregional basis -—
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—-. (SDG indicator 17.3.1), promoting ICTInformation and communications technology (ICT) is a diverse set of technological tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share or exchange information. These resources include computers, the Internet, live broadcasting technologies, recorded broadcasting technologies and telephony -—
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—-. as a tool for development, and UNCTAD’s biotrade initiative.
First experimental estimates of the cost of achieving selected SDG indicators across SDG transition pathways are discussed in this years’ In-Focus, as a contribution to a UN-wide effort. Each year, the SDG Pulse highlights a specific aspect of the 2030 Agenda and discuss this issue from the perspective of statistics.
Data and classifications
All data used in maps and charts can be downloaded by clicking on the top right of each data visualization.
Disclaimer
The designations employed and the presentation of material on this web site do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). The final boundary between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan has not yet been determined. The final status of the following territories has not yet been agreed or determined: Abyei area, Aksai Chin, Arunachal Pradesh, Bi’r Tawil, Hala’ib Triangle, Ilemi Triangle, Jammu and Kashmir, Kuril Islands, Paracel Islands, Scarborough Shoal, Senkaku Islands, Spratly Islands.
The designations “developing” and “developed” are intended for statistical convenience and do not necessarily express a judgement about the stage reached by a particular country or area in the development process. UNCTAD’s grouping of developing and developed economies is based on the former development status classification of the M49 standard, with some recent updates. For more details, see the UNCTADstat classification page.
Acknowledgements
SDG Pulse was developed by the UNCTAD Statistics Service, led by Anu Peltola, Acting Director. The following staff of the Service prepared the statistics, analysis and design: Sana Al-Jadir, Nour Barnat, Sonia Blachier, Alexander Blackburn, Sanja Blazevic, Rachid Bouhia, Diana Camerini, Yoann Chaine, Richard Chalverat, Ekaterina Chernova, Flavine Creppy, David Cristallo, Denis Gervalle, Victoria Goudeva, Onno Hoffmeister, Daniel Hopp, Ildephonse Mbabazizimana, Bojan Nastav, Anu Peltola, Vania Robelo, Amandine Rushenguziminega, Benny Salo and Anton Sudzik.
The following UNCTAD experts contributed to the drafting of the report with statistics and analysis across divisions: Regina Asariotis, Mark Assaf, Hassiba Benamara, Omar Benyamina, Chantal Line Carpentier, Lorena Jaramillo Castro, Dominique Chantrel, Mathilde Closset, Claudia Contreras, Amelie Cournoyer, Yihong Gong, Robert Hamwey, Penelope Hawkins, Jan Hoffmann, David Jose Vivas Eugui, Daniel Ker, Tomasz Kulaga, Maxime Ladriere, Aurélie Legrand, Daniela Magalhaes Prates, Massimo Meloni, Samuel Munyaneza, Ngoc Nguyen, Alessandro Nicita, Ming Peng, Luisa Rodriguez, Henrique Silva Pacini Costa, Gerry Teeling, Lorenzo Tosini, Arlette Verploegh Chabot, David Jose Vivas Eugui, Frida Youssef and Yan Zhang. Wided Ben Moussa, Mohamed El Ghourabi and Abdelrahman Elsayed Morsy and Agrippine Tchuente Mvondo also contributed with their expertise.
In addition, external experts provided crucial support in drafting the report: Roberta Quadrelli (IEAInternational Energy Agency), Oliver Schwank (UNDESAUnited Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs), Tim Strawson and Thomas Beloe (UNDPUnited Nations Development Programme), Xuan Che, Animesh Kumar and Rahul Sengupta (UNDRRUnited Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction), Hernan Epstein, Martijn Kind and Antoine Vella (UNODCUnited Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), Ginette Azcona, Antra Bhatt and Guillem Fortuny (UN WomenUN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women (UN Women).).
Notes
- * Indicator for which UNCTAD is a custodian or co-custodian agency.
References
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