The European Union has made significant progress towards achieving some of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) between 2017 and 2022, according to a report by the European statistical agency, Eurostat. While the EU has succeeded in reducing inequalities, decreasing poverty, and achieving economic growth, it has also recorded some movement away from accomplishing other objectives.
The report titled ‘Sustainable development in the European Union – monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context – 2024 edition’, praises the EU’s achievements towards reducing inequalities (SDG 10). Over the past five years, income inequalities within EU countries have decreased, and economic disparities between countries have continued to level out. Income quintile share ratio decreased at an annualized rate of 1.2% from 2017 to 2022. The labor market integration of non-EU migrants has improved, further contributing to progress.
The EU’s progress towards quality of education and gender equality (SDG 4 and SDG 5) was significant, meaning that the efforts made towards ensuring inclusive and equitable opportunities for all resulted in positive outcomes.
Advances towards SDG 8 – decent work and economic growth have also been documented. Real GDP recorded an annual growth rate of 9% from 2018 to 2023. The employment rate within the EU hit a record high, and long-term unemployment fell to record lows.
Poverty eradication (SDG 1) also saw significant improvement. The annual rate of people at risk of monetary poverty after social transfers decreased by 0.4% from 2017 to 2022. While monetary poverty and material deprivation have decreased, further efforts are needed by 2030 to take 15 million individuals out of poverty or social exclusion. Housing cost burdens have decreased, but unmet medical care needs have risen.
According to the report, the EU has also recorded significant achievements towards SDG 2 – sustainable agriculture. The agricultural real factor income per annual work unit increased by 3.8% from 2018 to 2023. Innovative practices and policies have bolstered food security and environmental sustainability. Research and development expenditure and patent applications have increased, and the environmental goods and services sector continues to grow. However, the report states that the shift away from environmentally friendly transport modes is a challenge for the EU. The Union has also seen advances in innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), and sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12) which ensures a more circular economy.
In terms of environmental objectives, there have been promising developments in preserving life below water (SDG 14) with measures to protect marine ecosystems showing encouraging results. Marine protected areas have expanded, and sustainable fisheries have improved although ocean acidification and eutrophication remain a concern for the EU.
However, according to the report, EU’s progress in the pursuit of certain SDGs has been more moderate over the last five years. The goals for peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and global partnerships (SDG 17) have seen some steady progress but fewer improvements. Climate action (SDG 13) has also made moderate strides, with the EU working to balance economic development and environmental protection.
Victims of trafficking increased by 5.4% per year on average from 2017 to 2022, road traffic deaths for the same period decreased by 2.4% against the required target of 5.4%. EU financing to developing countries dropped by 4.9% per year on average from 2017 to 2022, and net greenhouse gas emissions from land use, land use change and forestry increased by 1% per year on average against the established target of -1.7%.
Clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) present a mixed picture. While access to sanitation has improved, trends in water quality are less favourable, and the adverse impacts of drought have increased. For affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), there has been a slight shift away from the targets. Energy consumption and productivity have improved, but more progress is required to achieve the renewable energy targets. Energy import dependency has increased, and affordable energy access has declined.
SDG 3 – health and well-being, has been remarkably impacted by the pandemic. The available data now fully reveals the effect of the pandemic on general medical systems and public health. SDG 15 – life on land, showed several unsustainable tendencies in biodiversity and land degradation. This underscores the urgent need for more effective conservation and sustainable land management practices.
