Key axes of global progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals

Identifying the principal dimensions of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is key to measuring the extent to which SDGs are addressing the broader aim of agenda 2030. However, the key axes of global SDG progress over the past two decades remain largely unknown. This study aimed to identify the major axes of global SDG progress and analyze the variation of SDG axes along with their spatial-temporal patterns and in relation to economic status. Principal Component Analysis was used to identify major axes of the SDGs that comprise basic-needs, governance, and higher-needs bundles. The results show that three key axes, viz. resources and ecosystems, the living environment, and well-being and equality, underpin the basic-needs, governance, and higher-needs SDGs respectively. Spatially, highest PC scores for basic-needs are clustered in high income countries, governance PC scores are globally polarized, while the results suggest that higher-needs PC scores are progressing only at a sluggish pace in most countries. In terms of temporal trends, progress has relied heavily on the contribution of basic-needs and governance SDGs. The SDG axes differ by country income levels, although the goals that contribute most to major axes in high-income countries also contribute most to global axes. The identified key axes of SDG progress highlight the necessity to promote the nexus of sustainable food-water-land, resilient cities, health, and equality to implement the SDGs more holistically. The study assists in the identification of appropriate research priorities and in developing more effective transformation strategies towards delivering the SDGs by 2030.