- Poverty
The goal to eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere is encapsulated in Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1). Specifically, the target aims to reduce the proportion of men, women, and children living in poverty in all its dimensions, currently measured as people living on less than Sh245 (US$1.9) a day. Despite progress in some areas, the latest data indicates that nine per cent of the global population, or 712 million people, struggled below the Sh277 (US$2.15) per day poverty line in 2022. Projections suggest that, if current trends continue, around 574 million people will still be living in extreme poverty by 2030.
- Stunting
The target to end all forms of malnutrition, including stunting among children under five years of age, is a key component of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2). Specifically, the goal aims to achieve internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting by 2025, with a target of reducing the prevalence of stunting to 15 per cent or lower. However, recent data indicates that the global rate of stunting has stalled at 24 per cent as of 2023. Projections show that by 2030, approximately 23 per cent of children under five may still be stunted, falling short of the 2025 target.
- Maternal mortality
Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, this target aims to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births. However, progress on the global maternal mortality ratio has stalled since 2016 and was 139 per 100,000 live births in 2023. The 2030 projection estimates 125 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births almost double the target. Achieving the target by 2030 will require an annual rate of reduction of 12 per cent, a rate that has rarely been achieved at the national level.
- Under five mortality
Also aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), this target aims to end preventable deaths of children under five years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce under-five mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births. Since 2021, the child mortality rate has stalled at 36 deaths per 1,000 live births. By 2030, the projected child mortality rate will be 31 per 1,000 live births missing the target of 25 child deaths per 1,000 live births.
- Neonatal mortality
Still aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), this target aim is to end preventable deaths of newborns, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births. Since 2021, the neonatal mortality rate has stalled at 17 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births. By 2030, the projected rate will be 15 neonatal deaths per 1,000—missing the target of 12 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births.
- Ending HIV, TB and malaria
The target to end the epidemics of HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria is a critical focus of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3). The goal of this target is to end the global epidemics of these diseases by 2030. However, progress has been uneven. Globally, progress on reducing new cases of HIV has slowed reaching 0.23 new cases of HIV per 1,000 people in 2023. The 2030 projection estimates that the new cases of HIV will be 0.21 per 1,000 people almost 10 times the target of 0.02 new cases per 1,000 people. New TB cases globally have stalled at 119 per 100,000 people since 2022.
The projection suggests some progress from 2024, with new cases of TB reaching 107 per 100,000 people in 2030 that’s more than five times the target of 20 new cases per 100,000 people. New malaria cases have stalled, reaching 32 per 1,000 people in 2023. The 2030 projection estimates continued stalling, with new cases remaining the same by 2030 three times more than the SDG target.
- Universal health coverage
The target of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a fundamental goal under Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3). Its aim is to provide all individuals with access to quality essential health services, including prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, without facing financial hardship. While coverage of essential health services is recovering following pandemic reversals, increasing from an index score of 58 in 2020 to 61 in 2023. Projections indicate that the score will only reach 63 by 2030, falling short of the target of 100.
- Gender equality
Nearly three-quarters of the SDG targets particularly those under SDG 1 (poverty), SDG 4 (education), SDG 5 (gender equality), and SDG 8 (decent work) are directly or significantly reliant on gender equality. Yet no country is on track to achieve gender equality across the SDGs by 2030. If the current trends continue, global gender equality won’t be achieved until the 22nd century.
- Sanitation
The target to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all is a crucial element of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which focuses on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Specifically, the goal aims to end open defecation and pay special attention to the needs of women and girls and vulnerable populations. While the proportion of the global population using safely managed sanitation services has been increasing reaching 63 per cent in 2023, projections indicate that more than two-thirds of the global population will be using safely managed sanitation in 2030 missing the target to ensure safe sanitation for all.
- Education
The target to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all is central to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4). According to the report, before the Covid-19 pandemic, half of children in low- and middle-income countries could not read by age 10. This figure has now risen to two-thirds, jeopardising the goal of equitable and quality education for all.