Statistical challenges for achieving Sustainable Development Goals: Some reflections on Indicator 14.7.1

Statistics is considered as a tool to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and it is also a component of the SDGs. However, statistical challenges for supporting the effective achieving the SDGs remain. Via a case study of SDG Indicator 14.7.1, this article finds that the two main statistical challenges are the incompatibility between the SDGs and statistics, and the disparity in statistical capacity across countries, which are particularly significant during the pandemic. The analysis shows several reasons for these statistical challenges and provides some scientific and practical implications.