India Moves Up in Global Sustainable Development Rankings

India has made progress in its efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the latest Sustainable Development Report (SDR) published on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, India now ranks 99th out of 167 countries. This is a significant improvement from last year’s rank of 109. The report was prepared by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.

India received a score of 67 in the SDG Index 2025. In comparison, China is ranked 49th with a score of 74.4, and the United States is ranked 44th with a score of 75.2. Some of India’s neighbouring countries have also been listed in the report. Bhutan is at 74th place, Nepal at 85th, Bangladesh at 114th, and Pakistan at 140th. Maldives and Sri Lanka are placed at 53rd and 93rd positions, respectively.

The Sustainable Development Goals were launched by the United Nations in 2015. They are a set of 17 global goals that aim to reduce poverty, protect the planet, and ensure well-being for all by the year 2030.

The report noted that while some countries are making good progress, global development has slowed down. Only 17 percent of the 17 SDG targets are likely to be met by 2030. Conflicts, financial problems, and other challenges are affecting many countries.

European nations continue to lead the SDG Index. Finland is ranked first, followed by Sweden and Denmark. Nineteen of the top 20 countries are from Europe.

This report was released ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), which will take place in Seville, Spain, from June 30 to July 3, 2025. One of the key issues to be discussed at the event is the need to improve the flow of funds to developing countries, which often have higher growth potential but receive less financial support.