26/06/2025
On June 24, 2025, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) published its 10th edition of the Sustainable Development Report by economist Jeffery Sachs. It revealed that India has entered the top 100 of the global SDG Index for the first time, landing at 99th among 167 nations, based on a composite score of 67.
The SDGs were adopted in 2015 by 193 UN member states, but for now, 167 countries' data is available. It aims to address global challenges like poverty, health, education, climate action, and inequality by 2030. Parameters include metrics such as neonatal mortality (SDG 3), access to electricity (SDG 7), and press freedom (SDG 16), scored on a 0-100 scale. India’s progress has stood out, though challenges like inequality persist.
India has covered the journey from 121st in 2022 to 112th in 2023, 109th in 2024, and now 99th in 2025, marking its entry into the top 100. China sits at 49th, the US at 44th. India’s neighbours like Bhutan lead at 74th, Nepal at 85th, and Sri Lanka at 93rd, while Bangladesh (114th) and Pakistan (140th) lag behind. Bhutan and Nepal outperform India due to stronger scores in education, health, and governance. Meanwhile, India’s maritime neighbours Maldives is at 53, and Sri Lanka is at 93.
Nordic countries dominate, with Finland (1st), Sweden (2nd), Denmark (3rd), Germany (4th), and France (5th) leading the index. 19 out of the top 20 are European countries. Though they face challenges in climate and biodiversity goals due to high consumption and global supply chain impacts. Among G20 countries, Brazil (25th) ranks the highest, and Chile (7th) tops the OECD. while Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago are considered the most committed countries.
SDSN promotes sustainable development as a pathway to peace, equity, and well-being. No country is excluded from the SDG framework, emphasizing universal commitment. India’s top-100 status boosts its global reputation, attracts sustainable investments, and strengthens its voice in international sustainability discussions, paving the way for a resilient future.