The East Asia and Pacific region has made progress toward SDG 1, but challenges remain, and many targets are off track for 2030.

• Extreme Poverty (Target 1.1): While poverty rates have declined, economic shocks and climate change threaten progress. Some countries, particularly in Pacific Island nations, still face high poverty levels.
• Reducing Poverty in All Dimensions (Target 1.2): Many countries have reduced multidimensional poverty, but disparities remain, especially in rural areas and among marginalised groups.
• Social Protection Systems (Target 1.3): Coverage is expanding, but many informal workers remain excluded, limiting the effectiveness of safety nets.
• Equal Access to Basic Services (Target 1.4): Infrastructure gaps persist, particularly in remote areas, affecting access to education, healthcare, and financial services.
• Resilience to Economic and Environmental Shocks (Target 1.5): The region is highly vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters, which threaten livelihoods and slow poverty reduction efforts.

Overall, while some progress has been made, urgent action is needed to accelerate poverty reduction, strengthen social protection, and address climate-related risks.

Europe and Central Asia have made progress toward SDG 1, but challenges remain, especially in rural areas and among marginalised groups.

• Extreme Poverty (Target 1.1): While poverty rates are low in most European countries, some Central Asian nations still struggle with high poverty levels, particularly in remote areas.
• Reducing Poverty in All Dimensions (Target 1.2): Many countries have strong social protection systems, but income inequality and regional disparities persist.
• Social Protection Systems (Target 1.3): Coverage is high in Europe, but Central Asia faces gaps, especially for informal workers and rural populations.
• Equal Access to Basic Services (Target 1.4): Infrastructure is strong in Europe, but Central Asia still faces challenges in healthcare, education, and financial inclusion.
• Resilience to Economic and Environmental Shocks (Target 1.5): The region is affected by economic uncertainties, climate change, and geopolitical tensions, which slow poverty reduction efforts.

Overall, while Europe is largely on track, Central Asia needs stronger policy interventions and investment to meet SDG 1 targets by 2030.

Latin America and the Caribbean have made progress toward SDG 1, but many targets remain off track for 2030. According to reports, only 23% of the SDG targets in the region are expected to be achieved by 2030, while 41% are moving in the right direction but too slowly, and 36% have stalled or regressed.

• Extreme Poverty (Target 1.1): While poverty rates have declined, economic instability and social inequalities continue to slow progress.
• Reducing Poverty in All Dimensions (Target 1.2): Many countries have reduced multidimensional poverty, but disparities remain, especially in rural areas and among Indigenous communities.
• Social Protection Systems (Target 1.3): Coverage is expanding, but many informal workers remain excluded, limiting the effectiveness of safety nets.
• Equal Access to Basic Services (Target 1.4): Infrastructure gaps persist, particularly in remote areas, affecting access to education, healthcare, and financial services.
• Resilience to Economic and Environmental Shocks (Target 1.5): The region is highly vulnerable to climate change and economic downturns, which threaten livelihoods and slow poverty reduction efforts.

Overall, while some progress has been made, urgent action is needed to accelerate poverty reduction, strengthen social protection, and address climate-related risks.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces significant challenges in meeting SDG 1 by 2030. While some countries have made progress, others struggle due to economic instability, conflict, and social inequalities.

• Extreme Poverty (Target 1.1): While poverty rates are low in some Gulf countries, nations affected by conflict and economic crises—such as Yemen, Syria, and Sudan—continue to experience high poverty levels.
• Reducing Poverty in All Dimensions (Target 1.2): Many MENA countries have strong social protection systems, but income inequality and regional disparities persist, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas.
• Social Protection Systems (Target 1.3): Coverage is high in wealthier nations, but many low-income and conflict-affected countries lack comprehensive safety nets, leaving vulnerable populations exposed.
• Equal Access to Basic Services (Target 1.4): Infrastructure is strong in Gulf states, but many North African and Levant countries still face challenges in healthcare, education, and financial inclusion.
• Resilience to Economic and Environmental Shocks (Target 1.5): The region is highly vulnerable to climate change, economic downturns, and geopolitical instability, which slow poverty reduction efforts.

Overall, while some MENA countries are on track, others require stronger policy interventions, increased investment, and conflict resolution to meet SDG 1 targets by 2030.

North America has made significant progress toward SDG 1, but challenges remain, particularly in income inequality and access to social protection.

• Extreme Poverty (Target 1.1): Poverty rates are low overall, but disparities exist, especially among Indigenous communities and marginalised groups.
• Reducing Poverty in All Dimensions (Target 1.2): While multidimensional poverty is less prevalent, housing insecurity and healthcare access remain concerns.
• Social Protection Systems (Target 1.3): Coverage is strong, but gaps exist for low-income workers and undocumented populations.
• Equal Access to Basic Services (Target 1.4): Infrastructure is robust, but affordable housing and healthcare remain challenges in some areas.
• Resilience to Economic and Environmental Shocks (Target 1.5): The region is vulnerable to economic downturns, and climate-related disasters impact vulnerable communities disproportionately.

Overall, while North America is largely on track, addressing inequality, housing, and healthcare access will be crucial to fully achieving SDG 1 by 2030 .

South Asia has made progress toward SDG 1, but many targets remain off track for 2030. According to reports, income poverty eradication may not be met in several populous countries.

• Extreme Poverty (Target 1.1): South Asia still has a high poverty headcount, with India, Nepal, and Bangladesh showing poverty rates above 30% based on a $3.20/day threshold.
• Reducing Poverty in All Dimensions (Target 1.2): While some progress has been made, multidimensional poverty remains high, particularly in rural areas.
• Social Protection Systems (Target 1.3): Public spending on health and education remains low, often below 4% of GDP, limiting the effectiveness of social safety nets.
• Equal Access to Basic Services (Target 1.4): Infrastructure gaps, particularly in rural areas, continue to hinder access to essential services.
• Resilience to Economic and Environmental Shocks (Target 1.5): Climate change, economic downturns, and governance challenges slow progress in poverty reduction.

Overall, while South Asia has made strides in human development, many SDG 1 targets remain out of reach without stronger policy interventions and increased investment.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face unique challenges in meeting SDG 1 by 2030 due to their small economies, geographic isolation, and vulnerability to climate change.

• Extreme Poverty (Target 1.1): While some SIDS have low poverty rates, others—especially in the Pacific and Caribbean—struggle with high unemployment and economic instability.
• Reducing Poverty in All Dimensions (Target 1.2): Many SIDS experience multidimensional poverty, with limited access to healthcare, education, and housing.
• Social Protection Systems (Target 1.3): Coverage is expanding, but many informal workers remain excluded, limiting the effectiveness of safety nets.
• Equal Access to Basic Services (Target 1.4): Infrastructure gaps persist, particularly in remote islands, affecting access to education, healthcare, and financial services.
• Resilience to Economic and Environmental Shocks (Target 1.5): SIDS are highly vulnerable to climate change, natural disasters, and economic downturns, which threaten livelihoods and slow poverty reduction efforts.

Overall, while some progress has been made, urgent action is needed to accelerate poverty reduction, strengthen social protection, and address climate-related risks.

Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant challenges in meeting SDG 1 by 2030. According to reports, less than 6% of the measurable SDG targets in Africa are on track to be achieved by 2030, while many require accelerated progress.

• Extreme Poverty (Target 1.1): The pace of poverty reduction is too slow, and economic shocks, climate change, and conflicts have worsened conditions.
• Reducing Poverty in All Dimensions (Target 1.2): Many countries still experience high levels of deprivation in education, healthcare, and living standards, particularly in rural areas.
• Social Protection Systems (Target 1.3): Many governments lack the resources to implement strong social safety nets, leaving vulnerable populations exposed.
• Equal Access to Basic Services (Target 1.4): Infrastructure gaps and limited financial inclusion hinder progress, especially in remote communities.
• Resilience to Economic and Environmental Shocks (Target 1.5): Climate change, conflict, and global crises exacerbate poverty, making it harder for communities to recover.

Overall, while some progress has been made, major policy shifts and increased investment are needed to reverse negative trends and accelerate poverty reduction efforts.

• Lack of access to quality education and healthcare, particularly in rural and marginalised communities.
• High unemployment rates and underemployment, especially among youth and women.
• Limited access to financial services such as loans and savings, exacerbating economic inequality.
• Geographic and systemic barriers that prevent the delivery of essential services to underserved areas.

• Develop targeted social protection systems, such as conditional cash transfer programs, to support vulnerable groups.
• Promote inclusive economic growth by fostering small businesses and local entrepreneurship.
• Enhance access to quality education, vocational training, and healthcare services for marginalised populations.
• Strengthen land rights and access to agricultural resources for rural communities.

• Increased international development aid and financing for poverty alleviation programs.
• Collaboration between governments, NGOs, and private sectors to create comprehensive solutions.
• Monitoring mechanisms to ensure resources reach the intended beneficiaries.

• Persistent gender and ethnic inequalities that limit progress.
• Inadequate investment in rural and marginalised communities.
• Insufficient social safety nets to shield the poor from economic shocks.

• Governments: Implement pro-poor policies, invest in public services, and enforce inclusive land reforms.
• Businesses: Develop employment opportunities for underserved communities and adopt fair labor practices.
• Civil Society: Advocate for marginalised groups and deliver on-the-ground support, such as community-led education initiatives.

• Rwanda’s Vision 2020 Umurenge Program (Sub-Saharan Africa): Focuses on job creation, community development, and financial inclusion.
• India’s MGNREGA (South Asia): Guarantees rural employment and enhances community resilience.
• Brazil’s Bolsa Família Program (Latin America): Reduces poverty and inequality through conditional cash transfers tied to education and healthcare outcomes.

• Extreme weather events (e.g., droughts, floods, cyclones) that disrupt livelihoods and infrastructure.
• Increased food and water insecurity due to changing climate conditions.
• Rising sea levels threatening coastal and island communities.
• Health challenges from climate-related diseases such as malaria and dengue.

• Establish early warning systems and disaster preparedness programs to reduce loss during extreme events.
• Promote climate-smart agriculture, such as drought-resistant crops and sustainable irrigation systems.
• Restore degraded ecosystems to enhance natural resilience to climate impacts.
• Mobilise international climate financing to support adaptation measures in vulnerable regions.

• Access to climate adaptation technologies, such as renewable energy solutions.
• Capacity-building programs to train local communities in climate-resilient practices.
• Institutional frameworks to integrate climate resilience into national development plans.

• Insufficient global funding for climate adaptation, particularly in low-income countries.
• Limited access to renewable energy and water-efficient technologies.
• Vulnerable populations, such as women and indigenous communities, often excluded from climate policy discussions.

• Governments: Prioritise climate adaptation in national budgets and foster international partnerships for resilience programs.
• Businesses: Invest in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and resilient supply chains.
• Civil Society: Advocate for equitable climate action and provide support to communities for local climate adaptation projects.

• The Climate Resilience Improvement Project in Sri Lanka, which builds flood protection infrastructure and enhances disaster response systems.
• Mangrove restoration in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to protect coastal communities from storm surges.

• Unplanned and rapid urbanisation leading to overcrowded cities, slums, and informal settlements.
• Insufficient urban infrastructure, including transport, housing, and sanitation systems.
• Weak governance structures and lack of policy enforcement in urban settings.
• Social disparities and inequality in access to urban services.

• Strengthen urban planning to anticipate and address growth in urban populations.
• Invest in affordable housing and basic services, including clean water and sanitation.
• Promote participatory governance, ensuring that urban planning includes input from marginalised communities.
• Implement smart city solutions to enhance urban efficiency and sustainability.

• Technical and financial support to improve urban infrastructure and housing stock.
• Regulatory frameworks to control urban sprawl and improve land use management.
• Data collection systems to monitor and address urban challenges effectively.

• Persistent growth of informal settlements and inadequate housing.
• Limited enforcement of urban regulations due to weak institutions.
• Rising urban inequality and environmental challenges.

• Governments: Develop inclusive and sustainable urban development policies, supported by adequate funding.
• Businesses: Collaborate on infrastructure projects and innovative housing solutions.
• Civil Society: Organise communities to advocate for their rights and engage in urban planning processes.

• Medellín, Colombia’s urban renewal initiatives, including public transport and social housing programs.
• Nairobi, Kenya’s slum upgrading project to provide improved living conditions for informal settlement residents.