Measuring distance to the SDG targets – France
Based on 129 available indicators allowing a coverage of 103 of the 169 SDG targets, France has currently achieved 17 of the 2030 targets, and many of the remaining distances to targets are small (Figure 2.19). For example, France has already achieved the targets on maternal, infant and neonatal mortality (targets 3.1 and 3.2), and has among the best results in the OECD on CO2 intensity (targets 9.4 and 13.2) and on participation rates in pre-primary education (target 4.2). However, some challenges remain; France is still very far (i.e. more than 3 standardised distances away) from meeting some 4% of the targets. These include targets on tobacco consumption, on disparities in education and on violence against women (targets 3.a, 4.5 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 2.20, Panel A shows that France is on average closest to reaching goals relating to Planet, as well as goals on Poverty Eradication, Infrastructure and Cities (goals 1, 9 and 11). France is further away from achieving goals on Gender Equality and Education (goals 5 and 4). Relative to the OECD average, France outperforms on goals such as Poverty Eradication, Infrastructure, Climate and Oceans (goals 1, 9 13 and 14). Conversely, France is slightly further away on Education and Economy (goals 4 and 8). However, considerable effort by the international statistical community will be key to fill the data gaps and allow a more accurate assessment (see Figure 2.20, Panel B). For example, if missing data were available on Sustainable Production, Oceans, Reducing Inequality and Cities (goals 12, 14, 10 and 11), France’s performance on Planet and Prosperity could change from current assessments.