Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex
Completion rate (primary education, lower secondary education, upper secondary education)
By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education
Proportion of children aged 24–59 months who are developmentally on track in health, learning and psychosocial well-being, by sex
Participation rate in organized learning (one year before the official primary entry age), by sex
By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, by sex
By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill
By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
Parity indices (female/male, rural/urban, bottom/top wealth quintile and others such as disability status, indigenous peoples and conflict-affected, as data become available) for all education indicators on this list that can be disaggregated
By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy
Proportion of population in a given age group achieving at least a fixed level of proficiency in functional (a) literacy and (b) numeracy skills, by sex
By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all
Proportion of schools offering basic services, by type of service
By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and African countries, for enrolment in higher education, including vocational training and information and communications technology, technical, engineering and scientific programmes, in developed countries and other developing countries
Volume of official development assistance flows for scholarships by sector and type of study
By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing States
Proportion of teachers with the minimum required qualifications, by education level
Education — Global
Education is key to achieving the entire Agenda 2030. With just eight years to go, 2022 will be critical for revitalizing national and global efforts to transform education, so that all people have the skills and knowledge to coexist in harmony with our planet
Education — Global
Making the SDGs a reality will require people with new mindsets as well as new skills. Education is critical, and must rise to the challenge of enabling learners to drive sustainable development forward at the scale and pace required
Economic development
Europe has not abandoned the Green Deal – its flagship strategy for climate neutrality and shared prosperity – but it risks hollowing it out. As implementation pressures mount, the question is not whether the vision survives on paper, but whether it can still deliver a fair, system-wide transformation aligned with the SDGs
Climate — Global
As the green transition accelerates, millions of new jobs will emerge – but the skills needed to fill them are evolving even faster. Preparing children and young people for this future means rethinking education, work, and what “green” really demands of us
Economic development
“Leave no one behind,” the central tenet of the SDGs, underlines the importance of tackling inequality as countries strive to achieve the Global Goals. Rampant inequality is connected to setbacks in other areas, from democratic backsliding and the weakening rule of law to sluggish action on climate
Food systems and sustainable agriculture
From stunted growth to rising obesity, malnutrition is costing lives and futures on a massive scale. Lasting progress will only come through stronger partnerships, smarter investment, and action that cuts across sectors
People’s rights to decide freely about sex, contraception, and parenthood are central to human dignity, economic growth, and gender equality – yet they remain under attack worldwide. Without urgent action to protect and expand these rights, decades of progress risk being undone, with young people bearing the greatest cost
Thirty years after the landmark Beijing Declaration, progress on gender equality is stalling – and in some cases reversing. Rekindling its vision demands urgent, united action to confront rising inequality, authoritarianism, and backlash against women’s rights
Economic development — Global
Demographic change is reshaping our world in profound and unequal ways. By planning for population shifts rather than reacting to them, we can seize opportunities to drive progress in areas like education, health, sustainability, and reproductive rights – and build a fairer future for all
Social protection is a powerful – but underused – lever for gender equality and sustainable development. To get the SDGs back on track and close widening global gaps, governments must invest in inclusive systems that support women’s rights and needs at every stage of life
