Arab Region SDG Index and Dashboards 2026: Financing sustainable development in the Arab region

Abstract

The Arab Region SDG Index and Dashboards Report 2026 provides a comprehensive assessment of the region’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering key insights into sustainable development trends, regional challenges, and pathways to resilience-building. The Arab region’s overall SDG score stands at 60.6, with Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, and the UAE achieving at least two-thirds of the total score. However, Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and conflict-affected nations continue to fall below the regional average. The report highlights stark disparities, underscoring the need for targeted efforts to close development gaps and build resilience. Key challenges include SDG 5 (Gender Equality), where all Arab countries score low, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions), which remains significantly impacted by regional conflicts. SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) presents concerns related to nutrition and unsustainable agricultural practices, while SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth) highlights persistent unemployment in several countries, particularly among the youth. Despite these challenges, progress is observed in SDG 9 (Industries, Innovation & Infrastructure), driven by digital infrastructure growth, and SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation), with improvements in basic water services. However, water stress and environmental sustainability remain pressing concerns, with SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) requiring urgent interventions. Encouraging trends in SDG 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing) reflect improvements in child health. Persistent data gaps remain particularly in SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality) and SDG 1 (No Poverty), highlighting the need for stronger national statistical systems. The Arab Region SDG Index and Dashboards 2026 is a vital tool for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to develop evidence-based strategies for advancing sustainable development.