Today we present the results of the 2020 Social Progress Index (SPI) results that define a full picture of the 7.8 billion people’s lived experiences in 163 countries. This year’s index now reports social progress indices back up to 10 years of historical data points.
The Social Progress Index is the most inclusive indicator that actually deliberately accounts for the social and environmental situation of a country regardless of economic indices, and thus it would be a meaningful measure of the United Nations Sustainable Goals. The index comprises the achievements of all 17 Sustainable Development Goals and informs that the world will not reach the goals until 2082 if no preventive measures are put in place. It also tells that, if urgent measures are not taken, the Covid-19 pandemic will be an obstacle for the period till 2092—over 60 years after the target year 2030.
- The world in general is getting better. From 2014 to 2018, the world average score went up to 64.24 from 60.63, and there has been progress on eight of 12 aspects of social development.
- On the one hand, the overall development of the environment is impressive. The world is not getting any better, or worse, but in fact, it is stuck on the quality of the environment as well as the safety of every person.
- First on the global social progress ranking, Norway gets a score of 92.72.
- On the other hand, most significant changes are seen in the less developed/reduced/more capable countries, in that The Gambia, Ethiopia and Tunisia specifically are demonstrating considerable growth.
- There are notable exceptions that have declined in social progress. Most notably, the United States still continues to move further from the starting point, falling both in absolute terms and in the context of its rich, world-economic competitors, ranking 28th in social progress and is the only one of three countries that have been decreasing in social progress during the past ten years.
These are some latest of the list of the trends assessed in the 2020 Social Progress Index. This year we also partnered with Ipsos to carry out questionnaires on social progress in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The research shows that the highest percentage of the people who are most affected by the covid-19 pandemic are the ones who demand the developments in terms of social progress rather than the economic growth to be at the foreshore which is valid not only until the crisis goes on but also after it ends. In particular, young people are the ones who would rather have their countries invest in the social conditions when the pandemics are over.
Amidst the dual challenges of Covid-19 and economic downturns, the way our social data is obtained is even more crucial in order to comprehend the situation and justify the recovery.