Measuring distance to the SDG targets – Belgium
Based on 126 available indicators allowing a coverage of 102 of the 169 SDG targets, Belgium has currently achieved 16 of the 2030 targets, and many of the remaining distances to targets are small (Figure 2.5). For example, Belgium has already achieved the targets on pre-primary education, sanitation and clean fuels (targets 4.2, 6.3 and 7.1). However, some challenges remain; Belgium is still very far (i.e. more than 3 standardised distances away) from meeting some 3% of the targets. These include incidence of Hepatitis B, tobacco consumption, and violence against women (measuring targets 3.3, 3.a and 5.2).
The Measuring Distance to the SDG Targets Study is intended as an analytical tool to assist countries in identifying strengths and weaknesses across the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda, and as such differs in nature from Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) or other reporting processes. To ensure international comparability, indicators used in the Study are based on the UN Global List of Indicators on SDGs and are sourced from the UN SDG Database and OECD databases. VNRs typically use national indicators that reflect national circumstances and can be more up-to-date.
Figure 2.6, Panel A shows that Belgium is on average closest to reaching goals on Water, Sustainable Production, Infrastructure, Cities and Implementation (goals 6, 12, 9, 11 and 17), and further away from goals on Food and Gender Equality (goals 2 and 5). Relative to the OECD average, Belgium outperforms on goals such as Education, Gender Equality, Water, Sustainable Production, Infrastructure, Reducing Inequality and Implementation (goals 4, 5, 6, 12, 9, 10 and 17). Conversely, Belgium is relatively further away on Climate (goal 13). However, considerable effort by the international statistical community will be key to fill the data gaps and allow a more accurate assessment (see Figure 2.6, Panel B). For example, if missing data were available on Reducing Inequality, Sustainable Production, Oceans and Cities (goals 10, 12, 14 and 11), Belgium’s performance on Planet and Prosperity could change from current assessments.