Measuring distance to the SDG targets – Israel
Based on 104 available indicators allowing a coverage of 81 of the 169 SDG targets, Israel has currently achieved 10 of the 2030 targets, and many of the remaining distances to targets are small (Figure 2.31). For example, Israel has already achieved the targets relating to neonatal, infant and maternal mortality (targets 3.1 and 3.2), alcohol consumption and research and development employment and expenditure (targets 3.5 and 9.5). However, some challenges remain; Israel is still very far (i.e. more than 3 standardised distances away) from meeting some 12% of the targets. These include relative income poverty rate, students’ basic skills in mathematics and socio-economic disparities in education (targets 1.2, 4.1 and 4.5).
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 2.32, Panel A shows that Israel is on average closest to reaching goals on Health, Water and Oceans (goals 4, 6 and 14). On the other hand, Israel is furthest from goals on Poverty Eradication, Education, Biodiversity and Reducing Inequality (goals 1, 4, 15, and 10). Relative to the OECD average, Israel outperforms on goals such as Health, Water and Oceans (goals 3, 6 and 14). Conversely, Israel is relatively further away on goals such as Poverty Eradication, Education, Reducing Inequality, Climate and Biodiversity (goals 1, 4, 10 13 and 15). However, considerable effort by the international statistical community will be key to fill the data gaps and allow a more accurate assessment (see Figure 2.32, Panel B). For example, if missing data were available on Climate, Oceans, Reducing Inequality and Cities (goals 13, 14, 10 and 11), Israel’s performance on Planet and Prosperity could change from current assessments.