A comparison of international and national targets for the SDG agenda
The stretch required for low-income countries (LICs) to achieve SDG targets is generally greater than for middle-income and high-income countries (MICs and HICs). The gaps identified indicate where most work is needed to alter political priorities in order to realise the SDGs.
- For LICs, the biggest gaps identified were for extreme poverty, pre-primary and secondary education, maternal mortality, drinking water and sanitation, and electricity access.
- Amongst MICs, the water and sanitation and energy targets will require the greatest stretch.
- Six of the 13 indicators were not relevant to HICs, as they had already met or exceeded SDG targets. However, HICs presented the largest gap between national and global ambition on the renewable energy target.
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