Decades of gains overshadowed as Asia-Pacific falls behind on sustainable development targets

The Asia and the Pacific SDG Progress Report 2026, released by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) on Wednesday, finds that at the current pace the region will miss 103 of 117 measurable targets – or 88 per cent – across the 17 global goals.

Adopted by world leaders in 2015, the goals focus on ending extreme poverty and hunger, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation, and providing quality universal education, among other targets, by 2030.

‘A stark contradiction’

The findings reveal what ESCAP calls a “stark contradiction”. While Asia-Pacific has made notable progress in reducing poverty, expanding electricity access and lowering maternal and child mortality, these gains are being undermined by environmental decline and widening inequality.

“The very engines of growth that once lifted millions out of poverty and fuelled rapid industrialization are now undermining our future,” said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, the Executive Secretary of ESCAP.

“Our greatest collective challenge is also our greatest opportunity: to build a region that is not only wealthier but smarter, healthier and more just.”

Progress or lack thereof on SDG targets in the Asia-Pacific region.

Where the region stands

On track or close to target

• Access to electricity
• Mobile network coverage
• Reductions in maternal and child mortality

Major areas of regression

• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Biodiversity loss (Red List Index)
• Fossil fuel subsidies
• Labour rights/safe working environment
• Disaster-related losses

Data gap concerns

• Gender equality (SDG 5)
• Peace, justice and institutions (SDG 16) 

Read the full report here.

Environmental backsliding

The report finds that in critical areas – including climate action, marine conservation and biodiversity – progress is not just stalling but deteriorating.

Greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. The Red List Index, which measures species’ risk of extinction, shows accelerating biodiversity loss.

Marine ecosystems are in “serious decline”, economic contribution of sustainable fisheries is shrinking, and freshwater ecosystems are under threat.

Urban resilience also remains fragile. Although many countries have adopted disaster risk reduction strategies, indicators tracking the human and economic toll of disasters are worsening, exposing what the report describes as a “dangerous gap between planning and real-world resilience.”

Social progress under strain

There are areas of solid advancement. The region continues to perform strongly on industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), supported by near-universal mobile network coverage. Access to electricity is expanding rapidly and is on track to reach its target ahead of schedule.

Health outcomes have improved, with sustained reductions in maternal, neonatal and under-five mortality. Income poverty has fallen significantly over the past decades.

However, inequality remains stubborn. Progress on income distribution is slow, labour income shares are declining and compliance with labour rights is regressing. Informal employment and youth job prospects remain pressing challenges.

Education access has improved, but learning outcomes are slipping, with regression in minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics.

Data gaps cloud the picture

The report also shows that while data availability has improved – with 55 per cent of SDG indicators now having sufficient data for assessment, placing the region ahead of the global average – critical gaps persist.

Information shortfalls on gender equality (SDG 5) and peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16) are limiting policymakers’ ability to measure whether the most vulnerable are being reached.

Progress in women’s representation in managerial and political roles remains slow.

Incremental change will not suffice

With just five years remaining until the 2030 deadline, ESCAP stressed that incremental change will not suffice.

“Our current development trajectory is unsustainable, and the window for corrective action is closing rapidly,” it said.