Measuring distance to the SDG targets – Luxembourg
Based on 117 available indicators allowing a coverage of 93 of the 169 SDG targets, Luxembourg has currently achieved 18 of the 2030 targets, and many of the remaining distances to targets are small (Figure 2.43). For example, Luxembourg records a high share of adult population with ICT skills, a high share of protected areas, and has already achieved the targets on official development assistance (targets 4.4, 15.1 and 17.2). However, some challenges remain; Luxembourg is still very far (i.e. more than 3 standardised distances away) from meeting some 3% of the targets. For instance, there are high socio-economic disparities in education and a significant share of unsentenced detainees (targets 4.5 and 16.3).
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 2.44, Panel A shows that Luxembourg is on average closest to reaching goals on Cities (11), Implementation (9) and Biodiversity (15), and further from reaching goals on Food (2), Gender Equality (5) and Education (4). Relative to the OECD average, Luxembourg outperforms on goals such as Reducing Inequality (10), Water (6), Implementation (17) and Gender Equality (5). Conversely, Luxembourg is relatively further away on goals relating to Climate (13) and Food (2). However, considerable effort by the international statistical community will be key to fill the data gaps and allow a more accurate assessment (see Figure 2.44, Panel B). For example, if missing data were available on Sustainable Production, Climate and Cities (goals 12, 13 and 11), Luxembourg’s performance on Planet and Prosperity could change from current assessments.