Morocco climbs to 68th place in 2026 Sustainable Development Goals Index

Tuesday 30 June 2026 - 12:24

By: Azzat Manal

Morocco climbs to 68th place in 2026 Sustainable Development Goals Index

Morocco has improved its position in the 2026 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Index, ranking 68th out of 169 countries, according to the latest annual report published by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). The Kingdom achieved an overall score of 71.7 out of 100, marking a steady improvement since 2015 and performing above the average for the Middle East and North Africa region.

The annual assessment, led by economist Jeffrey Sachs and an international team of researchers, evaluates countries using more than 120 indicators that measure progress toward the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The framework covers a broad range of priorities, including poverty reduction, education, healthcare, gender equality, environmental protection, economic growth, and institutional governance.

Morocco's latest ranking reflects continued progress in several development indicators and places the country ahead of a number of regional economies. However, the report also highlights that significant challenges remain before all 17 Sustainable Development Goals can be achieved.

According to the assessment, climate action is the only goal that Morocco has fully met. At the same time, the report notes that additional progress in this area has slowed in recent years, while several other objectives continue to require substantial policy efforts.

Major challenges remain in sectors such as public health, gender equality, clean energy, marine and terrestrial ecosystem protection, as well as peace, justice, and institutional effectiveness. Other goals—including quality education, decent work, innovation, sustainable cities, and reducing inequalities—are progressing but still require further reforms and investment.

Meanwhile, indicators related to poverty reduction, clean water access, responsible consumption, and international partnerships have shown relatively stronger performance, although they have not yet reached the desired targets established under the UN agenda.

The report suggests that Morocco's gradual rise in the global rankings reflects the impact of ongoing economic and social reforms, investment in infrastructure, renewable energy development, and efforts to strengthen public services. Nevertheless, it emphasizes that accelerating sectoral reforms and improving implementation will be essential if the country aims to meet the remaining Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

As governments worldwide face increasing pressure to deliver inclusive and sustainable growth, Morocco's improved ranking signals positive momentum while underscoring the importance of maintaining reform efforts to address persistent structural challenges in the years ahead.