Deep Shortcomings in America’s SDG Performance

The United States ranks a disappointing 46th globally in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), scoring only 74.43 out of 100 in 2024. This reflects significant shortcomings across various dimensions of social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity. Systemic inequality is prevalent, with 36.8 million Americans (11.1% of the population) living below the poverty line. The wealth gap is extreme, with the top 10% holding 67–69% of national wealth while the bottom half owns just 2.5–3%. Education and economic mobility have become increasingly unequal, making the American Dream elusive for many, particularly those in low-income families. Poverty significantly affects physical and mental health, with nearly 30% of Americans relying on social safety net programs to meet basic needs. The U.S. underperforms on all 17 SDGs, particularly in areas like Zero Hunger, Reduced Inequalities, and environmental sustainability. Challenges include high greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss, with the nation also ranked last among U.N. members in commitment to multilateralism. These systemic issues contribute to stagnated progress towards achieving the SDGs and reflect deep-rooted socio-economic disparities.