Sustainability Assessment Results

Methodology

The K-SDG indicator assessment employs a distinctive “Progress Toward Targets” framework, which evaluates each indicator’s progress toward achieving the 2040 targets based on trend analysis. Progress is illustrated through the analogy of weather forecasts, presented in four levels:

It is important to note that this assessment framework does not evaluate whether the current level or status is desirable from a sustainability perspective, but rather assesses whether ongoing trends are conducive to achieving the future targets.

Among the K-SDG indicators, some specify explicit numerical targets for 2040, while others indicate only the intended direction of the targets or leave target-setting as a future task. For indicators with defined targets, the assessment compares the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of available data from the past five years with the required CAGR to achieve the 2040 targets.

If the recent five-year CAGR reaches at least 95% of the required CAGR to achieve the 2040 targets, the indicator is rated as “Sunny,” signifying that target attainment appears feasible.

When the growth rate falls between 5% and 95% of the required level, the indicator is assessed as “Partly Cloudy,” indicating progress toward the target but inadequate momentum to fully achieve the 2040 targets.

A rating of “Cloudy” denotes stagnation, with little or no progress toward the targets, while “Thunderstorm” signifies deteriorating trends that run counter to the intended direction.

For indicators without defined 2040 targets but with directional objectives, a four-tier assessment is conducted using trend-based analysis according to OECD (2019) methodology. When both long-term (10-year) and short-term (5-year) trends align with the intended direction, the indicator is rated as “Sunny.” If only the short-term trend aligns, the rating is “Partly Cloudy.” As with the previous framework, “Cloudy” denotes stagnation, while “Thunderstorm” indicates regression away from the targets.

Assessment Results by Four Strategic Areas (2024)

• (People) Out of 78 indicators, 51 (65.4%) were rated “Sunny,” reflecting overall improvements in poverty-related measures. However, increases were observed in some negative indicators, such as the incidence of digital sexual violence and unresolved cases.
• (Prosperity) Out of 40 indicators, 16 (40%) were rated “Sunny.” Industrial growth and innovation drove upward trends, while the net wealth share of households in the bottom two income quintiles remained stagnant, and several waste-related indicators declined.
• (Environment) Out of 42 indicators, 21 (50%) were rated “Sunny,” demonstrating steady progress in eco-friendly energy and climate change response efforts. Some water management and terrestrial ecosystem conservation indicators, however, were rated “Thunderstorm” conditions.
• (Peace and Partnerships) Out of 16 indicators, 8 (50%) were rated “Cloudy.” While the ODA/GNI ratio increased from 0.14% in 2020 to 0.18% in 2023, it remains below the internationally recommended level of 0.7%.