Sustainable Development Goals
                     S U S TA I N A B L E  D E V E LO P M E N T  
G OA L S
I N T R O D U C T I O N
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also 
known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the 
United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action 
to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that 
by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
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S O M E  O F  T H E  S U S T A I N A B L E  
D E V E L O P M E N T  G O A L S  A R E  E X P L A I N E D  
B E L O W
G O A L  1
N O  P O V E R T Y
Eradicating poverty in all its forms remains one of the 
greatest challenges facing humanity. While the 
number of people living in extreme poverty dropped 
by more than half between 1990 and 2015, too many 
are still struggling for the most basic human needs.
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G O A L  2
Z E R O  H U N G E R
The number of undernourished people has dropped by 
almost half in the past two decades because of rapid 
economic growth and increased agricultural 
productivity. 
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G O A L  3
G O O D  H E A L T H  A N D  W E L L -
B E I N G
We have made great progress against several leading 
causes of death and disease. Life expectancy has 
increased dramatically; infant and maternal mortality 
rates have declined, we’ve turned the tide on HIV and 
malaria deaths have halved.
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G O A L  4
Q U A L I T Y  E D U C AT I O N
Since 2000, there has been enormous progress in 
achieving the target of universal primary education. The 
total enrollment rate in developing regions reached 91 
percent in 2015, and the worldwide number of children 
out of school has dropped by almost half. 
There has also been a dramatic increase in literacy 
rates, and many more girls are in school than ever 
before. These are all remarkable successes.
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G O A L  5
G E N D E R  E Q U A L I T Y
Ending all discrimination against women and girls is 
not only a basic human right, it’s crucial for 
sustainable future; it’s proven that empowering 
women and girls helps economic growth and 
development.
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G O A L  6
C L E A N  W A T E R  A N D  
S A N I T A T I O N
Water scarcity affects more than 40 percent of people, 
an alarming figure that is projected to rise as 
temperatures do. Although 2.1 billion people have 
improved water sanitation since 1990, dwindling 
drinking water supplies are affecting every continent.
 
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G O A L  7
A F F O R D A B L E  A N D  C L E A N  
E N E R G Y
Between 2000 and 2018, the number of people with 
electricity increased from 78 to 90 percent, and the 
numbers without electricity dipped to 789 million.
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G O A L  8
D E C E N T  W O R K  A N D  
E C O N O M I C  G R O W T H
Over the past 25 years the number of workers living in 
extreme poverty has declined dramatically, despite 
the lasting impact of the 2008 economic crisis and 
global recession. 
In developing countries, the middle class now makes 
up more than 34 percent of total employment – a 
number that has almost tripled between 1991 and 
2015.
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G O A L  9
I N D U S T R Y ,  I N N O V A T I O N  
A N D  I N F R A S T R U C T U R E
Investment in infrastructure and innovation are crucial 
drivers of economic growth and development. With 
over half the world population now living in cities, 
mass transport and renewable energy are becoming 
ever more important, as are the growth of new 
industries and information and communication 
technologies.
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G O A L  1 0
R E D U C E D  I N E Q U A L I T I E S
Income inequality is on the rise—the richest 10 
percent have up to 40 percent of global income 
whereas the poorest 10 percent earn only between 2 
to 7 percent. 
If we take into account population growth inequality in 
developing countries, inequality has increased by 11 
percent.
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