Most countries are falling behind on the UN's 2030 goals, while Singapore jumps 10 spots

Singapore has climbed 10 places to 59th in this year's UN-backed Sustainable Development Report, advancing even as global progress toward the 2030 goals stalled.

The annual report's 11th edition, released last week by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), an independent body set up under the UN, ranks 169 countries on their progress toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Nearly every nation adopted the goals in 2015 and pledged to meet them by 2030, spanning poverty, health, education, climate change and the protection of nature.

Singapore scored 73.8 out of 100, a figure that reads as how far it has traveled toward full achievement of the goals.

Its strongest marks came in quality education and in industry, innovation and infrastructure, which the report rated as on track or already met. It also logged steady gains on health, gender equality and clean water, though each fell short of the target.

The weakest results were in climate action, responsible consumption and production, and the health of the surrounding seas. The report flagged all three as major challenges where progress is stalling or going backward.

Supertrees and an elevated walkway at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. Photo by Unsplash

This year's edition recalculated earlier rankings using a single consistent set of indicators, after the authors warned that scores from different years are "not perfectly comparable" because the underlying measures shift each edition.

Singapore's own profile lists its change in score since 2015 as unavailable, citing missing data.

Across the region, Singapore landed mid-table. Thailand led Southeast Asia at 43rd, while Vietnam ranked 58th, a single place above Singapore and level with it on score.

The global picture was far darker. At current rates, the report concluded, none of the 17 goals will be achieved worldwide by 2030, and only 16.5% of all targets are on track. Most governments, it found, are failing to convert plans into measurable results.

The slowest progress came on goals tied to sustainable cities, oceans, land ecosystems, and peace and strong institutions.

East and South Asia has been the fastest-improving region since 2015, with China and India posting the largest ranking gains among major economies, up 14 and 18 places.

Europe again dominated the top of the index, led by Finland, Sweden and Denmark.