Harmonizing the Interplay Between SDG 3 and SDG 10 in the Context of Income Inequality: Evidence from the EU and Ukraine

Zoriana Dvulit, Liana Maznyk, Natalia Horbal, Olga Melnyk, Tetiana Dluhopolska () and Bartłomiej Bartnik
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Zoriana Dvulit: Department of Foreign Trade and Customs, Lviv Polytechnic National University, 79-000 Lviv, Ukraine
Liana Maznyk: Department of Labor Economics and Management, National University of Food Technologies, 01-033 Kyiv, Ukraine
Natalia Horbal: Department of Foreign Trade and Customs, Lviv Polytechnic National University, 79-000 Lviv, Ukraine
Olga Melnyk: Department of Foreign Trade and Customs, Lviv Polytechnic National University, 79-000 Lviv, Ukraine
Tetiana Dluhopolska: B. Havrylyshyn Education and Research Institute of International Relations, West Ukrainian National University, 46-027 Ternopil, Ukraine
Bartłomiej Bartnik: School of Business, National-Louis University, 33-300 Nowy Sącz, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-23

Abstract: This paper investigates how Sustainable Development Goals SDG 3 (Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reducing Inequality) interacted during the period 2009–2021 within the context of income disparities in the European Union and Ukraine. The central assumption is that lowering income inequality improves overall population health. The research proposes a conceptual model with four main elements: classifying countries according to their Gini index along with their performance on SDG 3 and SDG 10; analyzing how income inequality and progress on SDG 10 influence health outcomes (SDG 3); categorizing countries based on the strength of links between inequality measures and well-being indicators; and interpreting these results in the context of Ukraine’s European integration aspirations. Methodologically, cluster analysis, correlation and regression models, and semantic differentiation are applied. The findings show that a reduction in income inequality positively affects health and well-being. Nonetheless, Ukraine continues to face considerable structural and institutional hurdles. From a governance standpoint, the study highlights the need for cohesive policies that integrate economic, health, and social dimensions. Effective public management should coordinate national reforms to match EU healthcare and social policy standards. Strengthening institutions, ensuring fair access to healthcare services, and adopting inclusive policy instruments remain crucial to advancing both SDG 3 and SDG 10 targets, as well as supporting Ukraine’s broader integration with the European Union.

Keywords: SDG 3; SDG 10; income inequality; well-being; Gini coefficient; cluster analysis; European integration; Ukraine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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