2024 Sustainable Development Goals Progress Report Malaysia|17sdg

The 2024 Sustainable Development Goals Progress Report

The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024

Published: 28 June 2024

Overview

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report 2024 offers a detailed snapshot of the world’s collective progress — and challenges — in meeting the 2030 Agenda. Compiled by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) with contributions from over 50 international and regional agencies, the report draws on the latest data from more than 200 countries and territories.

While there have been notable improvements in several areas, the overall pace of progress remains too slow. The report serves as the UN’s ninth official global stock-take, tracking developments across all 17 SDGs using the most current statistics and indicators.

Global Progress Snapshot

Out of 169 SDG targets, 135 were assessable using trend data.
Only 17% of targets are on track to be achieved by 2030.
Around 48% show minimal or moderate progress.
More than 35% have stagnated or regressed since 2015.

Conclusion: The world is off track. Urgent and transformative action is needed.

Notable Areas of Improvement

Child mortality has declined significantly.
HIV and malaria infections have been reduced.
Access to safe drinking water, sanitation, electricity, and mobile broadband has expanded:
- Water access: from 69% in 2015 to 73% in 2022.
- Sanitation coverage: from 49% to 57% in the same period.

Key Challenges and Barriers

The report highlights five major forces undermining SDG progress:

COVID‑19 Pandemic – Long-term social and economic impacts.
Rising Conflicts & Insecurity – Increased displacement and instability.
Climate Crisis – Extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and emissions.
Geopolitical Tensions – Disrupted cooperation and global governance.
Widening Inequality – Among and within countries.

Between 2019 and 2022

23 million people were pushed into extreme poverty.
Over 100 million faced hunger.

Goals notably off track include:

Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Goal 7: Affordable & Clean Energy
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities
Goal 14: Life Below Water
Goal 15: Life on Land
Goal 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions

Data & Monitoring Landscape

By 2024, 68% of SDG indicators had sufficient country-level coverage.
Only half provided reliable trend data.
Persistent data gaps exist in:
- Gender equality (Goal 5)
- Climate action (Goal 13)
- Peace and governance (Goal 16)

Urgent Priorities for Action

The SDG Report 2024 calls for immediate, coordinated global action across three pillars:

Peacebuilding
- Resolve and prevent conflict to restore development pathways.
Financial Solidarity & Reform
- Reform global financial systems and unlock investment in developing countries.
Implementation Surge
- Drive rapid progress in:
  - Food systems
  - Clean energy
  - Digital access
  - Gender equality
  - Climate resilience

Gender equality is underscored as a foundational enabler of progress across all goals.

Call to Action

“We have a rescue plan before us, in the SDG Summit political declaration. Now is the time to lift the declaration’s words off the page, and invest in development at scale like never before.”

— António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations

What This Report Is

The SDG Report 2024 is the UN’s primary evidence-based tool to assess global development. It is a crucial resource for

Governments and policymakers — to refine national strategies.
Development agencies and donors — to guide investments.
Civil society and private sector — to prioritise actions and partnerships.

With just six years to go, this report makes it clear: bold, inclusive, and immediate action is not optional — it is essential.