UNECE on Strengthening Statistical Capacity: Key to Achieving the 2030 Agenda

From the outset, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasized the critical role of robust national statistics in its success. Recognizing this, Goal 17—focused on strengthening implementation mechanisms and revitalizing global partnerships—includes targets for building statistical capacity and developing measures to track sustainable development progress. As countries implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the national level, understanding the availability of SDG indicators becomes essential for the agenda’s success.

A global SDG indicator framework, established in 2016, supports the measurement of progress toward the 169 targets across the 17 SDGs. The framework consists of 231 statistical indicators, many of which feature multiple sub-indicators.

Significant progress has been made since the framework’s introduction. In 2016, data was available for most—but not all—countries for only 35% of the indicators. By the end of 2024, this figure had risen to 69%. Indicators lacking data entirely dropped from 36% in 2016, due to the absence of methodologies, to just 2% by 2024.

However, these figures do not fully capture the complexities of data availability. While the global database is a vital resource, the availability of SDG data within individual countries holds equal, if not greater, importance. National implementation of the SDGs relies on these statistics to inform the public and guide policy decisions. Without comprehensive domestic data on SDG indicators, achieving the goals becomes substantially more challenging.

Interestingly, discrepancies exist between global and national datasets. Some countries adapt indicators to local contexts or resource constraints, leading to variations from the global standards. Many nations, particularly in the UNECE region, have developed national SDG indicator sets that include metrics beyond the global framework, which provide valuable insights for local implementation.

To address these challenges, the UNECE Steering Group on Statistics for SDGs has developed tools and guidance to help countries assess their indicator availability. Among these is a self-assessment tool for national statistical offices, designed to evaluate indicator availability and facilitate SDG statistical coordination. Additionally, the new Guidance on Assessing and Conceptualizing SDG Indicator Availability offers a systematic approach for understanding what constitutes indicator availability, the context required for meaningful use, and practical methods for assessment.

This guidance, published as an addendum to the second edition of the CES Road Map on Statistics for Sustainable Development Goals, supports countries in navigating the complex process of tracking progress on the 2030 Agenda. Widely used by statistical offices in the UNECE region and globally, the Road Map provides practical strategies for measuring SDG achievements.

The self-assessment tool, introduced in early 2024, has already undergone testing by Germany, Sweden, and Poland. It received widespread acclaim during the 2024 UNECE Workshop on Statistics for SDGs, where its value as a resource for improving indicator availability and coordination was highlighted.

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