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India has achieved a significant milestone by securing a position among the top 100 nations in the world for its progress toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s 10th and latest Sustainable Development Report (SDR), released on June 24, 2025, India now ranks 99th out of 167 countries, with a score of 67 on the SDG Index.
This marks a notable improvement from previous years—India was ranked 109th in 2024 and has steadily climbed the rankings over the past decade. The SDGs, adopted by the United Nations in 2015, aim to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation, with the overarching goal of ensuring that no one is left behind by 2030.
Regional and Global Context
India’s neighbors show varied progress: Bhutan ranks 74th (70.5 points), Nepal 85th (68.6 points), Bangladesh 114th (63.9 points), and Pakistan 140th (57 points). Maritime neighbors Maldives and Sri Lanka are placed at 53rd and 93rd, respectively.
Globally, European nations—particularly the Nordic countries—continue to dominate the top of the SDG Index, with Finland, Sweden, and Denmark holding the top three positions. Nineteen of the top 20 countries are from Europe. However, the report notes that even leading countries face challenges, especially regarding climate and biodiversity goals due to unsustainable consumption patterns.
Progress and Challenges
Despite India’s progress, the report highlights that global advancement toward the SDGs has largely stalled. Only 17% of the 17 SDG targets are projected to be achieved by 2030, with conflicts, structural vulnerabilities, and limited fiscal space cited as major obstacles. Economist Jeffrey Sachs, a lead author of the report, emphasized the need for reforms in global financial systems to better support emerging and developing economies.
East and South Asia have demonstrated the fastest progress since 2015, driven by rapid socioeconomic development. India’s improved ranking reflects advancements in areas such as access to basic services, infrastructure, and health outcomes.
Looking Ahead
The release of the report comes just ahead of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain, where global leaders are expected to discuss reforms to the international financial architecture to better support sustainable development, especially in emerging economies.
“Conflicts, structural vulnerabilities and limited fiscal space impede SDG progress in many parts of the world,” noted economist Jeffrey Sachs in the report.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information reported by Livemint and other reputable news sources, referencing the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s 2025 Sustainable Development Report. Rankings and figures mentioned are accurate as of the report’s publication date and may be subject to change as new data becomes available.
