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A Comparative Assessment of Accomplishment of
Sustainable Development Goals in Tropical Region
1st Rosewine Joy
School of Management
Presidency University
Bangalore, India
rosewinejoy@presidencyuniversi
ty.in
2nd Smita Sharma
School of Management
Presidency University
Bangalore, India
smita.sharma@presidencyunivers
ity.in
3rd Jolly Sahni
Management Department
Prince Sultan University
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
jsahni@psu.edu.sa
4th Sreejith Ummathiriyan
Department of Management
Studies
Central University of Kerala
Kerala, India
sreejith.u@cukerala.ac.in
Abstract—Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the
collection of seventeen global goals which serve as a global blueprint
aimed to protect the planet and society. The goals are intertwined
and designed to ensure an enduring sustainable future for all
inhabitants of the planet Tropical Asia has been facing the wrath of
increasing pressures from an increased population and
environmental degradation. Tropical Asia has abundant natural
resources and diversity inclusion in their culture and people.
However, owing to its location this region is more vulnerable to the
implications of climate change than the other parts of the world. To
achieve Sustainable Development Goals priority must be given to the
development of each individual region in terms of its contribution.
Hence this paper aims to compare the achievement of SDG Goals
using various SDG Index calculations in the tropical region. The
data for the study has been collected using the online dashboard of
the SDG index for the year 2022. The comparison will shed light on
the performance of goals in the tropical region and indicates early
interventions in the areas. The overall performance index also helps
us to understand the commitment of nations and the governance
challenges in this region
Keywords—SDG, Linkages, Global Governance, SDG Index,
Tropical Asia, Performance, Economic growth
I.
INTRODUCTION
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are defined as “A
collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a
blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”
by United Nations [1]. These goals were primarily meant to be
achieved by 2030 and are also known as UN Resolution 2030
Agenda. The SDG’s recognize that eradicating poverty and
inequality, creating inclusive economic growth and preserving
the planet are inextricably interlinked [2]. Accomplishment of
the sustainable development goals is a herculean task facing
nation’s world-wide. The tropical countries owing to their
location are more vulnerable to implication of climate change
[3]. There has been an increased impetus on the accomplishment
indicators of the sustainable development indicators in the
recent past. The present study aims to explore and assess the
accomplishments of the sustainable development indicators
primarily in the tropical countries.
II.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Sustainable Development Goals were meant for future
development which can be beneficial for future generations.
SDGs are time bound where targets have to be achieved by year
2030 which will end poverty, protect the planet and to ensure
that each individual enjoy peace and prosperity by
2030.Sustainable development goals offer a roadmap for
achieving a balanced development in the world. They are a
common language and vision across all the member states on the
triple bottom line: economic, social and environmental [4].
Study by Barbier and Burgess [5] have focussed on
sustainability and development after COVID-19. And suggest
that there has been an increased financial burden on developing
countries in view ofCOVID-19 and the world now requires
affordable policies that can enhance the progress towards
achievement of sustainable development goals and align
economic incentives for a long term sustainable development.
Past studies have undermined the progress of various
countries on various frontiers of SDG’s such as studies which
capture the climate vulnerability [6]; health related progression
[7]; agroforestry [8] etc. These studies have emphasized the role
of the various SDG’s as per the focus areas of sustainability
indices.
Various researches in the field have analysed individual
SDG’s focussing on the important metrics of these SDG’s.
Studies have reported the trade-offs between various SDG’s and
the various opportunities that require recognition [9]. The study
sheds light on the maintenance of life on land. Various
opportunities and challenges which outplay the scenario because
of competition of land have been stressed upon in the study.
Several studies [10]; [11] have shed light on neglected
tropical diseases and their incorporation into SDG’s wherein
clear indicators are provided to measure the progress. Studies by
Bangert et al. [12] have reported primarily on SDG3 which
emphasizes the health goals holds significant impact on the other
goals too. There is however dearth of studies which holistically
focus on all the indicators of SDG’s in the tropical region and
provide a comprehensive overview of the preparedness of the
tropical countries for climate change.
42
2023 Sixth International Conference of Women in Data Science at Prince Sultan University (WiDS PSU)
978-1-6654-7723-9/23/$31.00 ©2023 IEEE
DOI 10.1109/WiDS-PSU57071.2023.00021
III.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The data was collected using the Online Database for the
Sustainable Development reports for the year 2022.The database
utilized the SDG 2022 data and dashboard ratings for the year
2022.The data visualization was done using the latest version of
Tableau 2022.4. The visualization cartogram maps were
generated for the countries in the tropical region only. The SDG
performance for the various tropical countries has been
earmarked based upon the goals dashboard, dashboard scores
and country codes provided by the database to identify the
performance of the tropical countries for the year 2022. The
dashboard is divided into 5 based on the index score for the
individual goals and colour coded as shown in Figure: 1.
IV.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data was analysed for the following 18 countries with
India leading the population and also the growth rate of
population. The population growth rate has been partially
negative for China and Maldives whereas it has been the highest
for Yemen, Philippines, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The lowest
population as per the data is for Singapore. The lowest
population density is for Saudi Arabia. The land area is highest
for China. The population density has been the highest for
countries like Singapore, Bangladesh and Maldives. The overall
density of people is also on the higher end for India. This is being
followed by China and Philippines.
A.
Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty
The data suggests insufficient data availability for countries
like Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen for this goal. There stand
further challenges for countries like Vietnam and Srilanka to
achieve their goals. Further the goal achievement is only with
UAE, China, Maldives, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
There further exist significant challenges for countries like
India, Philippines, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao PDR and
Myanmar. As per the data available from SDG report, the
progress has been quite impressive to put an end to poverty but
yet it is not sufficient as per the expected value. The main cause
might be the lack of clarity on certain specifications related to
division of labour which is what a human rights-based duty to
eradicate severe poverty fundamentally requires [13].
B.
Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger
The data reflects that not even a single tropical country has
been able to achieve the goals set by the second goal. There exist
challenges for countries like China. Significant challenges for
countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia Singapore Vietnam. All
other countries UAE, Indonesia, India, Lao PDR, Srilanka,
Maldives, Myanmar, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines, Saudi
Arabia, Thailand, and Yemen face major challenges with this
goal achievement. As per the reports of World Health
Organization [14] Child Growth Standards, 1 in every 4
children under the age of 5 years is facing the challenge of
malnutrition. This primarily requires more integrated policies to
be implemented at the ground level [15].
C.
Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-
Being
The data suggests that there exist challenges for countries
like UAE and Singapore. Significant challenges for countries
like China, Saudi Arabia and Oman. There exist major
challenges for Bangladesh, Cambodia Vietnam. s Indonesia,
India, Lao PDR, Srilanka, Maldives, Myanmar, Malaysia,
Philippines, , Thailand, and Yemen with this goal achievement.
In terms of Good Health and Well-being, countries have made
significant progress and if following trajectory continues then 3
targets will be achievable by year 2030 but still there are 10
challenges where the progress is not sufficient enough to achieve
the target in given deadline. There are failures in reducing the
use of alcohol, building proper health workforce, failure in
reduction of road fatalities, etc. In 2018, approximately 83.3%
of births in Tropical Asian Countries attended by the skilled
health workforce.
D.
Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education
The goal achievement for SDG 4 has been only for UAE,
Bangladesh, China, Srilanka, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Significant and some challenges remain for countries like
Indonesia, India, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Maldives, Malaysia,
Oman, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand. Major
challenges are headed for Myanmar and Yemen. In comparison
to other goals, the progress in quality education is relatively
good but with such speed the achievement of this goal is also not
possible by year 2030 as none target will get accomplish in the
deadline. Average literacy rate in Tropical Asian Countries is
93.4% in 2018 as almost 7 countries have literacy rate above
90%. Studies [16] have identified the role of higher education
institutes in shaping actions towards an inclusive growth
through community education.
E.
Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality
The data reflects there exist significant challenges for
countries like India, Cambodia, Srilanka, Maldives Malaysia,
Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Some challenges still persist
for Singapore. Significant challenges are there for countries like
China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar,
Philippines, UAE and Thailand, with this goal achievement.
F.
Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and
Sanitation
The data reflects that there exist significant challenges for
countries like Maldives .There exist major challenges for
countries like UAE Bangladesh, ,India, Cambodia, Srilanka,
Myanmar, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Singapore and
Yemen. Water scarcity is the big concern for the whole region.
Water stress is increasing in the region with the growing
population demand. In this context also there is not much
progress and might require immediate attention of the
government. Guided water policies in the area of water
management shall improvise the existing water crisis situation
[17]. This will additionally cater to address the other challenges
in achieving similar goals with good health and well-being.
43
TABLE I. TROPICAL COUNTRIES: DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE
Country
Population
Growth
Rate
Area
Land Area
Km
Density
Bangladesh
1729
5431
9
0.010
33
147
570
13017
0
132
8.6
8
Cambodia
1694
4826
0.010
56
181
035
17652
0
95.
993
8
China
1425
6713
52
- 0.000
15
970
696
1
94247
02.9
151
.26
96
India
1428
6276
63
0.008
08
328
759
0
29731
90
480
.50
33
Indonesia
2775
3412
2
0.007
38
190
456
9
18775
19
147
.81
96
Laos
7633
779
0.013
85
236
800
23080
0
33.
075
3
Malaysia
3430
8525
0.010
91
330
803
32855
0
104
.42
41
Maldives
5210
21
- 0.005
28
300
300
173
6.7
37
Myanmar
5457
7997
0.007
36
676
578
65267
0
83.
622
7
Oman
4644
384
0.014
88
309
500
30950
0
15.
006
1
Philippines
1173
3736
8
0.015
39
342
353
29817
0
393
.52
51
Saudi Arabia
3694
7025
0.014
78
214
969
0
21496
90
17.
187
1
Singapore
6014
723
0.006
53
710
718
837
7.0
52
The various SDG goals for the tropical countries have been
studied individually as below in Figure 1.
Green-Goal achieved
Yellow- Challenges remain
Orange- Significant challenges
Red- Major challenges
Grey- Insufficient data
Fig. 1. Dashboard and SDGs Achievement
G.
Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean
Energy
The data reflects that there exist significant challenges for
countries like Maldives and Vietnam. There exist major
challenges for countries like India, Cambodia, Srilanka,
Myanmar, Malaysia, Oman, and Yemen. Approximate 90% of
the people have access to electricity to their homes in year 2018.
By year 2016, approximate 23% of the region’s final
consumption of energy depends on renewable sources.
H.
Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and
Economic Growth
The data reflects that there exist major challenges for
countries like UAE, India, Cambodia, Myanmar Philippines and
Yemen. There exist significant challenges for countries like,
Srilanka, Malaysia, Oman, Bangladesh China, Indonesia, Lao
PDR, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Singapore with this goal
achievement. This goals entails decent work as an opportunity
for enhanced legitimacy and also enhances the human rights
aspects with decent accountability [18].Hence it becomes
pertinent for countries to address the challenges for due
achievement of this goal.
I.
Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and
Infrastructure
The data suggests that only Singapore has been able to fulfil
the goal as yet. There exist significant challenges for countries
like Maldives and Vietnam. There exist major challenges for
countries like India, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Srilanka, Myanmar,
44
Philippines, and Yemen. There exist significant challenges for
countries like UAE Bangladesh China, Indonesia, Thailand,
Malaysia, Oman, and Saudi Arabia with this goal achievement.
J.
Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
For the achievement of goal 10 significant challenges exist
for countries like Maldives and Vietnam. There is insufficient
data for Cambodia, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.
Significant challenges with Bangladesh China, Indonesia, Lao
PDR, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Yemen. There exist major
challenges for countries like Malaysia and Philippines.
K.
Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and
Communities
The data suggests major challenges for countries like
Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Myanmar and Yemen. Challenges
persist for countries like UAE, Malaysia and Singapore.
L.
Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible
Consumption and Production
The data reflects that there exist major challenges for
countries like UAE and Singapore. Goal achievement has been
for Bangladesh India, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar,
Philippines, and Yemen.
M.
Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action
The data suggests significant challenges for countries like
UAE and Singapore. Goal achievement has been for Bangladesh
India, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Maldives
and Yemen.
N.
Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life below Water
There exist significant challenges for countries like
Maldives and Vietnam, India, Cambodia, Srilanka, Myanmar,
Malaysia, Oman, and Yemen, Philippines, Thailand, Saudi
Arabia, UAE, Bangladesh China, and Indonesia, There is
insufficient data for Lao PDR.
O.
Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land
There exist significant challenges for countries like
Maldives and Oman. Vietnam. There exist major challenges for
countries like India, Cambodia, Srilanka, Myanmar, Malaysia,
and Yemen, UAE, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR,
Philippines, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Singapore with this
goal achievement. Past Studies [9] have also suggested that SDG
15 should stand as a priority in all processes as there are multiple
synergies and opportunities which may result from the
achievement of this goal.
P.
Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace Justice and
Strong Institutions
Data suggests significant challenges for countries like UAE,
China, Maldives, Malaysia, Oman Saudi Arabia and Singapore
There exist major challenges for countries like India, Cambodia,
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Yemen, Bangladesh
Indonesia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Thailand, with this goal
achievement.
Q.
Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the
Goals
The data reflects significant challenges for countries like
Maldives and Vietnam. There exist major challenges for
countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Srilanka, Myanmar,
and Singapore. Some challenges exist for Oman. Understanding
the relationship between implementation structures and the
outcomes is central to designing successful partnerships for
sustainability [19]. Thus it is imperative to involve the local
communities as major stakeholders in various sustainability
initiatives. This will foster not only economic savings for the
government but will also provide impetus to the inhabitants at
large.
V.
RESULTS
The result suggest that there is still a long way for the tropical
countries to attain the goals for SDG’s
2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,14,15,16 & 17. Policy interventions are also
an urgent need specifically in the education sector which can
bring about the anticipated change required to achieve these
goals. SDG 17 which emerges as the most predominant among
all urges for partnerships among various nations to achieve the
goals has emerged as a forerunner for the countries in this
region. This necessitates stakeholder partnerships not only at the
country level but also at the community level. Hence there exists
an urgent need for specific interventions for the tropical region
both to mitigate and adapt to climate change in the near future.
VI.
CONCLUSION
Considering the impact which will be curbing more pressure
on the tropical countries there is an urgent need to address the
individual SDG’s in this region. Considering the climate change
vulnerabilities in future the climate migration might also put a
lot of pressure on the natural resources in this region. Hence it is
evident that certain policy and procedural intervention are
required in this region if goal accomplishment is to be achieved
by 2030. There exist major and significant challenges for most
of the tropical countries which might require policy intervention
from the government of these countries along with major
community initiatives.
VII.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The study is restricted to the tropical countries only and their
accomplishment of the SDG’s. Further studies may concentrate
on several other parts of the globe as most of the other countries
will also face the wrath of climate change in future. Further a
more holistic approach will lead to results which are more
generalizable. Guided interventions which may bring actionable
change may also be intertwined in further studies.
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