Assessing global sustainability performance, imbalance, and coordination over space and time

Zhenci Xu, Xiuzhi Chen, Qutu Jiang, Xutong Wu, Nishan Bhattarai, John Mullen, Zhongbin B. Li, Georgina G. Gurney, Shuxin Li, Canbing Li, Tuo Yin, Sumin Bian, Jian Zhang, Siqi Han, Yunkai Li () and Jianguo Liu ()
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Zhenci Xu: The University of Hong Kong
Xiuzhi Chen: China Agricultural University
Qutu Jiang: The University of Hong Kong
Xutong Wu: Beijing Normal University
Nishan Bhattarai: University of Oklahoma
John Mullen: Rowan University
Zhongbin B. Li: Wuhan University
Georgina G. Gurney: James Cook University
Shuxin Li: Michigan State University
Canbing Li: Shanghai Jiaotong University
Tuo Yin: China Agricultural University
Sumin Bian: Westlake University
Jian Zhang: Lanzhou University
Siqi Han: China Agricultural University
Yunkai Li: China Agricultural University
Jianguo Liu: Michigan State University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Adopted by 193 countries in 2015, the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to address urgent global challenges by 2030. However, consistent and comprehensive assessments of countries’ spatiotemporal performance, and of the balance and coordination among the SDGs, remain scarce. Here, we developed three indices—the Sustainable Development Relative Performance Index (SDRPI), Sustainable Development Gini Index (SDGI), and Sustainable Development Coordination Index (SDCI)—to measure global SDG performance, imbalances, and coordination over time and across space. Results show that most countries improved their sustainable development performance from 2000 to 2020, with imbalances narrowing and low-income countries achieving faster progress than high-income ones. Several Eastern European countries recorded the largest SDRPI gains, while Sweden, Spain, and Poland exhibited the lowest SDGI scores, reflecting minimal imbalances. Low-income countries also displayed strong coordination in SDG improvements. These findings underscore the urgency of targeted governance and policies to address underperforming SDG targets and foster balanced, coordinated global sustainable development.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64219-y

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