Key Highlights:
- Bangladesh’s Score: Decreased from 65.9 to 64.35 out of 100
- Top Four in South Asia: Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal
- Bottom Three in South Asia: India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan
According to the Sustainable Development Report 2024, Bangladesh has slipped six positions on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) index. Still, it maintains a higher ranking than India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan in South Asia.
You Can Also Read: BANGLADESH LEADS SDGS WHILE COMMITMENT IS THE KEY!
The 9th edition of the report, published on June 17 by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, ranks Bangladesh 107th out of 167 countries, down from its 101st position in 2023. The country’s score decreased from 65.9 to 64.35 out of 100.
In the South Asian region, Bhutan leads at 61st globally, followed by the Maldives (67th), Sri Lanka (93rd), and Nepal (95th). India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan occupy the bottom three regional spots, ranking 109th, 137th, and 162nd globally respectively.
The SDGs exemplify both the strengths and limitations of the current UN system. The framework, agreed upon by 193 UN member states, represents a significant achievement in establishing a shared vision for global transformation by 2030, encompassing 17 overarching goals and 169 specific targets.
Bangladesh’s SDG Progress
Bangladesh’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reflects a mixed picture, with 29.7% of targets achieved or on track, while 39.2% show limited progress and 31.1% are regressing. Among the 17 development goals, Bangladesh has successfully attained only one—climate action. Quality education remains the sole goal where progress is on track or maintained, despite significant challenges.
Overall Progress
- 29.7% of SDG targets achieved or on track
- 39.2% showing limited progress
- 31.1% worsening
Moderate improvements are noted in six goals: no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, and industry, innovation, and infrastructure. However, substantial challenges persist in achieving these objectives.
Bangladesh faces stagnation in seven goals: gender equality, decent work, and economic growth, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities, and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, and partnership for the goals. Overcoming these hurdles remains critical.
Notably, efforts towards peace, justice, and strong institutions have seen a decline, reflecting systemic issues within governmental bodies like the Anti-Corruption Commission and Bangladesh Bank. Ahsan H Mansur from the Policy Research Institute attributes these shortcomings to inadequate local resources and unmet international commitments, exacerbated by ongoing crises such as in the banking sector.
Bangladesh’s SDG performance 2023
Relying solely on measures of economic growth and GDP may not necessarily lead to an enhanced quality of life for a nation’s populace. This highlights the significance of attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially for developing countries like Bangladesh.
In 2023, Bangladesh was ranked 101st out of 166 countries in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index Rank, according to the Sustainable Development Report 2023. The nation received an overall SDG Index Score of 65.9 out of 100. This article explores the findings of the UNDP’s SDG Bangladesh Progress Report 2020 and the Sustainable Development Report 2023 to evaluate Bangladesh’s advancement towards fulfilling the SDGs.
Bangladesh’s Performance in Additional SDG Report Indices
Apart from the SDG Index, the 2024 edition introduces a new index assessing countries’ backing for UN-based multilateralism across all 193 UN Member States, where scores range from 0 (low support) to 100 (high support). Bangladesh holds the 38th position with a score of 80.2.
Furthermore, the report features an ‘International Spillover Index’, which evaluates how a country’s actions affect others. Bangladesh scored 97 out of 100, indicating significant positive impacts and minimal negative spillover effects.
Global SDG Progress: Nordic Leadership, Asian Strides, and Worldwide Challenges
Nordic countries continue to dominate SDG achievement, with Finland leading the SDG Index, followed by Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and France. Meanwhile, East and South Asia has shown the most significant SDG progress since 2015.
However, the global picture remains concerning. Only 16% of SDG targets are on track for achievement by 2030, with 84% showing limited progress or regression. The report predicts that the SDGs will not be fully realized by 2030, citing several key factors:
- Shortcomings in the global financial architecture
- Severe geopolitical tensions undermining cooperation among major economies
- The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the global economy and SDG progress
These challenges have created significant obstacles to achieving sustainable development goals within the intended timeframe, highlighting the need for renewed global cooperation and commitment.
What Specific Actions Can Bangladesh Take to Improve Its Performance
Bangladesh can take the following actions to improve its performance in peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16):
Strengthen the capacity of government institutions and the judiciary:
- Assist law enforcement agencies to keep the community safe, prevent and resolve conflicts, and make citizens aware of their legal rights to justice
- Improve the capacity of district, upazila, union, and labor courts to better serve citizens, especially women and other vulnerable groups
- Reduce the backlog of cases hindering legal aid delivery and more effectively adjudicate cases
- Sensitize communities, including vulnerable populations, to their legal rights and responsibilities under Bangladesh law
Enhance transparency and accountability of institutions:
- Make the budgeting and planning process more transparent and inclusive at the local level by involving the public
- Improve public information accessibility and combat corruption
- Regularly prepare audit reports and conduct legislative hearings on them with the public or civil society organizations to increase public engagement in the budget process
Empower local governments and promote citizen participation:
- Strengthen the lowest tier of local government (Union Parishad) to ensure rural communities have access to good governance, development planning, execution, and accountability
- Implement participatory mechanisms like interactive budgeting and social audits to facilitate citizen-government dialogue
- Build new connections between the central government, international organizations, academics, and civil society to support effective decision-making at the local level
Ensure peace, justice, and equity for all:
- Assist law enforcement agencies to keep the community safe, prevent and resolve conflicts, and make citizens aware of their legal rights to justice
- Promote social harmony and equity by ensuring access to justice for all, especially vulnerable groups
- By implementing these actions, Bangladesh can work towards achieving SDG 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions
By implementing these actions, Bangladesh can work towards achieving SDG 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions.
