Millennium Development Goals:


How many did the world achieve?

Based on our work at www.OurWorldInData.org

Track progress on all the SDGs at www.SDG-Tracker.org

The UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
consisted of 8 Goals, measured by 18 Targets

The UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
spanned the period from 2000 to 2015

Summary of achieved and missed Targets

Overall, the world achieved 3 and a half out of the 14 Targets which can be assessed quantitatively:
- MDG 1 on extreme poverty;
- MDG 3 on gender disparity in education;
- MDG 6 on malaria and tuberculosis;
- half of Target 7.C for safe drinking water and sanitation.

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Target 1.A: Halve share of people living in extreme poverty

Extreme poverty was defined in the MDGs as living on less than $1.25 per person per day.

In 1990, 47% of people in developing regions lived in extreme poverty.

By 2015, this had fallen to 14% (surpassing the target of 23.5%).

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Target 1.A: Halve share of people living in extreme poverty

The international poverty line for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been redefined as $1.90.

You can explore progress in poverty reduction by country over recent decades here.

Clicking on a given country shows its progress over time.

Further research and data on extreme poverty across the world can be found in our entry on Extreme Poverty.

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Target 1.B: Achieve full and productive employment for all

Target 1.B was to achieve full employment for all, including young people and women.

In 1990, 62% of the working-age population in developing regions was employed.

By 2015, this had fallen to 60%. This target was therefore not achieved.

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Target 1.C: Halve the proportion of individuals suffering from hunger

Target 1.C was to halve the share of people in developing regions suffering from hunger (defined as undernourished).

'Undernourishment' is defined as having a caloric intake below minimum dietary requirements.

In 1991, 23% of people in developing regions were undernourished.

By 2015, this had fallen to 12.9%, narrowly missing out on the target level of 11.5%.

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Target 1.C: Halve the proportion of individuals suffering from hunger

Using this map you can explore progress by country over this period.

Clicking on a given country shows its progress over time.

Further research and data on hunger across the world can be found in our entry on Hunger & Undernourishment.

Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education

Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education

Target 2.A: ensure children universally will be able to complete primary education

Target 2.A was to achieve universal enrolment of children in primary education by 2015.

In 1991, 80% of children of the relevant age in developing regions were enroled in primary education.

By 2015, this had increased to 91%, but missed out on the target level of universal enrolment.

Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education

Target 2.A: ensure children universally will be able to complete primary education

The number of out-of-school children globally fell from over 100 million in 1992 to 60 million in 2014.

57% of out-of-school children live in Sub-Saharan Africa; just under 20% in South Asia.

Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education

Target 2.A: ensure children universally will be able to complete primary education

Using this map you can explore progress by country over this period.

Clicking on a given country shows its progress over time.

Further research and data on education across the world can be found in our entry on the Global Rise of Education.

Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women

Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women

Target 3.A: Eliminate gender disparity at all education levels

Target 3.A was to ensure gender parity in primary, secondary and tertiary education.

This is measured by the 'gender parity index' (GPI) which is the ratio of the female to male net enrolment ratio for primary, secondary and tertiary education levels.

A GPI of 1 equates to complete gender parity; a GPI below 1 favors male enrolment; GPI over 1 favors females.

Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women

Target 3.A: Eliminate gender disparity at all education levels

A GPI between 0.97 and 1.03 is considered 'gender parity'.

Gender parity was achieved at all education levels (primary, secondary and tertiary) by 2015.

Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women

Target 3.A: Eliminate gender disparity at all education levels

Attainment of this goal, however, has not been universal.

Significant differences remain across regions and countries, as disparities favouring either sex can cancel each other out when aggregated.

Shown opposite is the GPI for primary education by country.

This data is also available to explore for secondary education and tertiary education.

Further research and data on disparities in education can be found in our entry on Educational Mobility & Inequality.

Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality

Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality

Target 4.A: Reduce the under-five mortality rate by two-thirds

Target 4.A was to reduce the global child mortality rate by two-thirds from 1990 to 2015.

In 1990, the child mortality rate was 90 per 1,000 live births.

By 2015, this had more than halved to 42.5 per 1,000 live births.

However, this missed the global target of reaching 30 per 1,000 live births.

Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality

Target 4.A: Reduce the under-five mortality rate by two-thirds

Using this map you can explore progress by country over this period.

Clicking on a given country shows its progress over time.

The research and data on the reduction of child mortality across the world can be found in our entry on Child Mortality.

Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health

Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health

Target 5.A: Reduce the maternal mortality ratio by 75 percent

Target 5.A was to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births) by 75% from 1990 to 2015.

In 1990, the maternal mortality ratio was 380 per 100,000 live births.

By 2015, this had fallen more than 45% to 210 per 100,000 live births.

However, this missed the global target of reaching 95 per 100,000 live births.

Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health

Target 5.A: Reduce the maternal mortality ratio by 75 percent

Using this map you can explore progress by country over this period.

Clicking on a given country shows its progress over time.

The research and data on the reduction of maternal mortality across the world can be found in our entry on Maternal Mortality.

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Target 6.A: Halt and have started to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS

Target 6.A was to halt and have started to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS.

This would require a reduction in the share of people with HIV/AIDS (prevalence).

In 2000, there were 3.2 million new cases of HIV/AIDS globally.

By 2015, this had fallen to 2.1 million cases.

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Target 6.A: Halt and have started to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS

However, this reduction was not fast enough to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The share of people with HIV/AIDS has not declined.

The number of people with HIV/AIDS increased from 28 million to 36 million between 2000 and 2015.

This target was therefore not reached.

Further research and data on global progress on HIV/AIDS can be found in our entry on HIV/AIDS.

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Target 6.B: Achieve global access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for those who need it by 2010

Target 6.B was to achieve universal access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all with HIV by 2010.

ART coverage increased rapidly over this period, from 3% of those with HIV in 2000 to 23% in 2010.

Coverage since increased to 45% in 2015.

Despite substantial progress, this target was missed.

Further research and data on global progress on HIV/AIDS can be found in our entry on HIV/AIDS.

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Target 6.C: Ceased & started reversal of incidence of malaria & tuberculosis (TB)

Target 6.C was to reduce the incidence of malaria and tuberculosis (TB) by 2015.

In 2000, globally there were 158 new cases of malaria per 1,000 people at risk.

By 2015, this had fallen to 94 new cases per 1,000 at risk.

This target was therefore achieved.

Further research and data on global progress on tackling malaria can be found in our entry on Malaria.

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Target 6.C: Ceased & started reversal of incidence of malaria & tuberculosis (TB)

Target 6.C was to reduce the incidence of malaria and tuberculosis (TB) by 2015.

In 2000, globally there were 172 new cases of malaria per 100,000 people.

By 2015, this had fallen to 142 new cases per 100,000 people.

This target was therefore reached.

Goal 7: Environmental sustainability

Goal 7: Environmental sustainability

Target 7.A: Integrate sustainable development & reverse loss of environmental resources

Target 7.A was to integrate principles of sustainable development into country policies & reverse loss of environmental resources.

Multiple metrics are used to assess this target.

Progress for the ozone layer was seen, with emissions of ozone-depleting substances falling from 252,000 to 7,000 tonnes since 2000.

Further research and data on ozone layer depletion can be found in our entry on the Ozone Layer.

Goal 7: Environmental sustainability

Target 7.A: Integrate sustainable development & reverse loss of environmental resources

However, most environmental metrics continued to regress.

Global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions increased around 50% from 2000 to 2015.

Further research and data on emissions across the world can be found in our entry on CO2 & other Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Goal 7: Environmental sustainability

Target 7.A: Integrate sustainable development & reverse loss of environmental resources

Global forests fell from 31.2% to 30.8% of land area from 2000 to 2015.

Goal 7: Environmental sustainability

Target 7.A: Integrate sustainable development & reverse loss of environmental resources

Overexploited fish stocks increased from 27.4% to 31.4% of total stocks.

Since most environmental metrics regressed, target 7.A was not achieved.

Goal 7: Environmental sustainability

Target 7.B: Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving by 2010, significant reduction in rate of loss

Target 7.B was to reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss.

The Red List Index, which measures trends in species’ risk of extinction, shows that a substantial proportion of species in all taxonomic groups examined to date are declining overall in population and distribution.

The Global Living Planet Index (LPI) also shows a continued decline in global biodiversity.

This target was therefore not achieved.

Goal 7: Environmental sustainability

Target 7.C: Halve share of population without access to safe drinking water & sanitation

Target 7.C was to halve the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

In 1990, 24% of the world population didn't have access to an improved water source.

By 2015, this fell to 9% without access.

This target (a reduction to 12%) was therefore achieved.

Goal 7: Environmental sustainability

Target 7.C: Halve share of population without access to safe drinking water & sanitation

Using this map you can explore progress by country over this period.

Clicking on a given country shows its progress over time.

Further research and data on safe drinking water access across the world can be found in our entry on Water Access, Resources & Sanitation.

Goal 7: Environmental sustainability

Target 7.C: Halve share of population without access to safe drinking water & sanitation

Target 7.C was to halve the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

In 1990, 46% of the world population didn't have access to improved sanitation.

By 2015, this fell to 32% without access.

This target (a reduction to 23%) was therefore not achieved.

Goal 7: Environmental sustainability

Target 7.C: Halve share of population without access to safe drinking water & sanitation

Using this map you can explore progress by country over this period.

Clicking on a given country shows its progress over time.

Further research and data on santation access across the world can be found in our entry on Water Access, Resources & Sanitation.

Summary of achieved and missed targets

The world is now working towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

17 Goals; 169 Targets and 232 Indicators to be achieved by 2030.

Track our progress on all the SDGs:


www.SDG-Tracker.org

Based on work at www.OurWorldInData.org

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