19 February 2018: The UN Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has released a report on whether enough data exists to measure progress on the SDGs in the region. The report finds uneven data availability across the 17 SDGs for the region, and that only 50 of the 169 SDG targets are ready for assessing progress.
The report titled, ‘Measuring SDG progress in Asia and the Pacific: Is there enough data? Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific 2017,’ is based on data from the SDG Indicators Global Database. It identifies the SDG goals and targets for which progress can currently be assessed at the regional and subregional levels, using the SDG global indicators. It also identifies and prioritizes statistical capacity development needs, so data availability and quality gaps can be overcome.
The best performing indicators in the region are found under SDGs 7, 8 and 9.
The Yearbook aims to determine: how many global indicators have sufficient data to enable progress on the SDGs and related targets for the region and subregions; how data coverage varies across Asia-Pacific subregions and income groups; and to what extent disaggregated data are available for the SDGs. Analyzing trends in the region for approximately 50% of the 244 indicators included in the global SDG indicator framework, the authors conclude that the SDGs with the best performing indicators are Goals 7 (affordable and clean energy), 8 (decent work and economic growth) and 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure).
Indicators under SDGs 13 (climate action) and 14 (life below water) have either only one data point or no data at all for over half of the countries in the region. Data are missing for over half of the indicators for SDGs 1 (no poverty), 5 (gender equality), 6 (clean water and sanitation), 10 (reduced inequalities), 11 (sustainable cities and communities), 12 (responsible consumption and production), 13 (climate action), 14 (life below water) and 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions). At the target level, only 50 of the 169 SDG targets are deemed ready for assessing progress.
The Yearbook discusses the link between data availability and the frequency of data production and dissemination. It highlights the need to: develop measurement standards, definitions and statistical guidelines; strengthen statistical production and dissemination in line with international standards; improve disaggregated data by enhancing the policy-data nexus; and ensure political, institutional and financial support for sustained production, dissemination and use of statistical products and services.
The Statistical Yearbook also includes a regional SDG indicator database and country data sheets on the SDGs, which present an overview of each country in the region regarding their progress on the SDGs. [ESCAP Press Release] [Publication: Statistical Yearbook for Asia and the Pacific 2017: Measuring SDG Progress in Asia and the Pacific: Is there enough data?] [Country Data Sheets] [ESCAP Statistical Online Database]