The interactive map of the Sustainable Development Goals illustrates the progress of each goal across the globe. It shows diversity between countries and their progress towards sustainability in the different goals. The progress varies depending on the goal and region. However, the goals connected to infrastructure and providing basic services have had the greatest progress, while the goals connected to biodiversity and climate action have had less progress.
The summary of the 2025 Sustainable Development Report indicates a strong global commitment to work towards achieving the goals. Countries in East and South Asia have made particularly strong progress since 2015, along with individual countries in other parts of the world. Both India and China have made good progress towards the goals in general, with a considerably higher SDG Index in 2025. The interactive map shows that Europe and North East Asia have made advanced progress in achieving the first goal of no poverty. Furthermore, South America is making noticeable progress towards gender equality, the fifth goal, and Africa towards the twelfth goal of responsible consumption and production.
The 2025 report identifies that one of the greatest challenges to achieving the goals is financial limitations. Therefore, the goals that require less financial support seem more likely to be achieved. Goals that require infrastructural changes are going to be more expensive compared to making changes in existing systems. However, it is not universal what will require more financial investments. For example, achieving quality education in Europe requires less financial investment than in Africa, because of the already existing system in Europe.
Goals such as gender equality, and peace, justice and strong institutions do not necessarily require larger financial investments compared to other goals, but it does require political changes. Political changes are not necessarily costly, but reformation takes a long time, especially if they contradict existing norms and policies.