By Yana Povalinska, Youngjo Kim, andYaa Attakumah

Edited by SNU ARIC

SDG 1 : No Poverty 

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Indicator 1.1.1 : proportion of population below the international poverty line,

• Goal : By 2030 eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.90 a day.

• Ukraine : Ukraine's poverty rate is already close to zero at 1.90 or 3.20. Therefore, the goal has already been achieved. Then, We compared the poverty rate based on $5.50. Even in this case, Ukraine has a lower poverty rate than neighboring countries. Ukraine has fertile land, so it can harvest more than three times domestic demand. For this reason, it is estimated that the poverty rate is low. However, as the poverty of the people continues due to the long economic recession and conflict, the Ukrainian government is in a position to promote active policies to protect them. The graph shows that the poverty rate increased day by day in 2015 during the Crimean Crisis and the Donbass War.

Indicator 1.3.1 : proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems

• Goal: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.

• Ukraine : Ukraine protects about 50% of its total population with social insurance. This is a higher percentage than neighboring countries. Even in the face of social turmoil, the achievement of GOAL1 was evaluated as the highest in the 2021 SDR report due to active social security policies. The Ukrainian government will continue to increase the scope of social security.

SDG 2 : Zero Hunger

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Indicator 2.1.1 : Prevalence of undernourishment

Indicator 2.2.2.prevalence of stunting among children under 5 years of age.

• Ukraine : In the graph, Ukraine's nutritional level seems to be better than that of neighboring countries. Agriculture is a major component of the Ukrainian economy and is exported overseas sufficiently to meet domestic demand. However, the rate of malnutrition in children under the age of 5 is much higher than in other countries. According to the 2015 SGD report in Ukraine, the Ukrainian diet is very unbalanced. On average, milk and dairy consumption accounts for only 55% of the recommended level and 64% of meat. And vitamin and fruit intake is very low at 43%. Crucially, the price of food produced in Ukraine is exported by foreign companies and provided to their citizens remains at a very high level. Monthly spending by Ukrainian families exceeded half of the family budget. Between 19 and 20, Ukraine exported 21.1 million tons of wheat to the world's fifth-largest wheat exporter, but imported 14.5 million tons again. Since the government does not restrict grain exports, grains produced in Ukraine are exported overseas, and Ukraine imports as much as it lacks. This determines high food prices, and Ukraine's nutritional status is poor.

Reference : https://mronline.org/2021/07/09/why-are-children-suffering-from-hunger-in-ukraine/

Indicator 2.a.1.Total official flows for agriculture, by recipient countries

Indicator 2.c.1.Food Security Indicator(Domestic food price volatility)

• Ukraine : However, other indicators show that Ukraine has a higher ODA amount in the agricultural sector than neighboring countries, and there has been a gradual increase. In addition, the indicators of food vulnerability are good compared to neighboring countries, and have been continuously improved. In other words, Ukraine still has some improvements to make in terms of hunger, but some progress has been made.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Indicator 3.2.1.Under 5 Mortality rate

Indicator 3.2.2. Neontal Mortality rate

• Goal : By 2030 end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age.

• Ukraine : Ukraine's infant mortality rate is gradually decreasing due to increased vaccination and strengthened management of dangerous childbirth. And this trend is with neighboring countries.

Indicator 3.3.3.Number of New HIV Infections

• Ukraine : Meanwhile, Ukraine has a higher proportion of HIV infections than neighboring countries. And this ratio has increased further since 2015. The Ukrainian government analyzed that the eastern conflict caused people to weaken their status, and that it may have affected the HIV infection rate as they were subject to crimes. Overall, Ukraine's G3 level is low in Europe. Overall, progress has been made in infant mortality, but it is difficult to say that G3 has achieved results because there are still vulnerable areas such as the high number of HIV-infected people.

SDG 4: Quality Education 

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong education for all

Indicator 4.1.a Net primary enrollment rate(%)

Indicator 4.a Government expenditure on education(%)

• In Ukraine, the enrollment rate of elementary schools is not higher than that of neighboring countries because homeschooling is explicitly stipulated in the law as an educational method. In addition, Ukraine's interest in education is the proportion of government spending on education. It can be seen that investment in education continues even though there was a time when the national economy was in crisis.It can be evaluated positively in that it is higher than other regions and there has been some recent rise, but it is difficult to say that there has been a great achievement.

  • Net primary enrollment rate : The number of pupils of official primary school age (according to ISCED97) who are enrolled in primary education as a percentage of the total children of the official school age population.

SDG 5: Gender Equality 

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Indicator 5.5.1. Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments

• Ukraine enacted a law in 2015 to introduce gender quotas for election candidates. It was conditioned that one gender should be at least 30%. As a result, it can be seen that the proportion of women has risen sharply in the National Assembly.

• Other than that, no significant improvement has been made over the past decade, including the labor participation rate.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation 

Ensure availabilty and sustainable management of water and sanitation

Indicator 6.1.1.Population using at least basic drinking water services (%)

• Ukraine has sufficient water resources, but it is concentrated in the north, so the south lacks water. In addition, due to the aging of the pipeline, water supply is still an important problem. In 2015, part of the water infrastructure was damaged by an armed conflict in the Donvas region, which hindered the reliable supply of water

Indicator 6.2.1. Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services

• The utilization rate of sanitary facilities is low in rural areas of Ukraine. In addition, 35% of sewage networks are in poor condition. Therefore, the rate of use of sanitary facilities is lower than that of neighboring countries. The wastewater treatment is not working well either. However, noticeable improvements have been made in the past decade as Ukraine enacted a law on the protection and use of water resources and ratified the Protocol on Water and Health of the Convention in 2011.

• Overall, there was some progress, but it can be said that there was also a decline.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

SDG 8: Decent Jobs and Economic Growth 

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Indicator 8.5.2 : Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities

• Ukraine : Ukraine's unemployment rate is higher than that of neighboring countries except Turkey and Georgia. In particular, the unemployment rate has risen to about 9% around 2015. When comparing men and women, men have a higher unemployment rate, which seems to be due to the higher proportion of men in the economically active population. (62% of women and 74% of men were economically active as of 2016).After returning to some recovery, it can be seen that the unemployment rate has risen again in 2020 due to the influence of COVID-19.

• Overall, disputes and infectious diseases had a very bad effect on the achievement of GOAL8.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Build resilient in infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Indicator 9.C.1. Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, by technology.

• Goal : Strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020

• Ukraine : Ukraine has very high mobile usage than neighboring countries. However, the level of Internet line connection is relatively lower than that of Europe and Central Asia. However, it is growing at a very rapid pace. Ukraine is the second cheapest country in the world, according to a 2020 survey by British consulting company BDRC Continental.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries

Indicator 10.2.1 - Proportion of People Living Below 50% of Median Income

• Goal: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

  • The share of the population living on less than half of the median national income is a measure that is useful for monitoring the level and trends in social inclusion, relative poverty and inequality within a country.

• Ukraine : Ukraine has a smaller proportion of people living below 50% of median income compared to neighboring countries. And the trend remains uniform. Overall, it can be evaluated as a society where the degree of inequality is not severe. It is also worth that the figures are better than those of neighboring countries that were other Soviet Union.

Indicator 10.4.1 : Labour share of GDP, comprising wages and social protection transfers

• Goal : Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality by 2030.

• Ukraine : Ukraine has a significant population of low wages. According to Ukraine State Fiscal Service, 50% of the lowest-income employees in 2015 accounted for 30% of the national average wage. The figure is lower than 60% in the EU and 50% in the United States. Accordingly, the Ukrainian government aimed to raise wages.(Ukraine SDG Report) However, considering that labor share have fallen sharply in GDP since 2014, it is estimated that wages have not risen, and it is possible to speculate that the capacity to actually work in crisis situations has decreased.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable

Indicator 11.1.1 Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing

• Goal: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

• Ukraine : The Ukrainian economic recession accelerated the concentration of the population in cities. However, the city did not provide enough housing and slummed some areas. The Ukrainian government has made plans to provide sufficient housing and a pleasant living environment. As of 2018, the proportion of the population living in Slum in Ukraine is lower than in other Eastern European regions, but is still high. Most developed Western countries have a proportion of around 1%.

Indicator 11.2a Satisfaction with public transport (%)

• Goal: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all by 2030.

• Ukraine : Ukraine mentioned the development of safe and convenient transportation. Although no direct indicator of traffic accessibility could be found, the progress can be examined as an indicator of public transportation satisfaction. Ukraine's satisfaction with public transportation is around 60%, which is similar to or slightly higher than that of neighboring countries. It exceeds the Red standard set in the SDR report, but falls short of the GREEN threshold. It has also been on the decline recently. It can be estimated that this appeared due to the concentration of urban areas and the aging of facilities.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Indicator 12.2.2 : Domestic material consumption

• Goal : By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

• Ukraine : Ukraine's consumption of materials per capita is not higher than that of neighboring countries. However, it has maintained a certain level over the past decade without any significant increase or decrease.

Indicator 12.3.1 : Global food loss

• Goal : By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses

• Ukraine : Ukraine has more food waste than neighboring countries. According to a 2017 Ukrainian government report, Ukraine has yet to have an incentive mechanism to encourage the public to pursue sustainable consumption. In addition, the Ukrainian government has set a goal of lowering the total loss ratio after harvesting grains or vegetables. Due to the limitations of the data, only comparative figures can be checked with neighboring countries in 2019, but it will be necessary to try to lower the amount of food waste further.

SDG 13: Climate Action 

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Indicator 13.1.1 Deaths and injuries from natural disasters

• Goal : By 2030 strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

• Ukraine : Ukraine began to suffer from climate disasters a few years ago. Crucially, flooding caused by climate phenomena over June 2020 caused the best victims ever. Neighboring Kazakhstan was also severely damaged by the flood in May of the same year. Ukraine has become one of the major victims of climate change. Ukraine should also be accompanied by expanding its crisis management capabilities for disasters.

Indicator 13.2.2 CO2 emissions

• Goal : Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds by 2025.

• Ukraine : Ukraine's economic downturn has contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while affecting the scale of industrial production. In addition, Ukraine prepared a policy plan in 2016 to minimize greenhouse gas emissions through low-carbon economic development. The plan includes an early warning system and response systems to natural disasters. In the graph below, it can be easily seen that countries with higher PPP than Ukraine usually have higher CO2 emissions.

• Overall, Ukraine has made some progress in reducing co2 emissions, but this has been affected by the economic downturn and needs to be further equipped with crisis management capabilities.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development

Indicator 14.1.1 : Reduce marine pollution

• Goal : Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds by 2025.

• Ukraine : Ukraine borders the Black Sea and the Azovian Sea. Since the coastline is relatively small and does not face the ocean, there is relatively little interest in the sea. Also, as cream became Russian, Ukraine lost one-third of its original coastline. In fact, compared to Romania, where most of the coastline is similar to Ukraine, it can be seen that Ukraine still has little interest in the ocean.

SDG 15: Life on Land 

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and reserve land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Indicator 15.2.1 : Progress towards sustainable forest management

• Ukraine : Ukraine's forest ratio has remained almost unchanged over the past decade at about 16.7%. Ukraine plans to increase the forest ratio to 17% in 2020, 18.5% in 2025, and 20% in 2030. However, as of 2020, it has not yet been achieved. In addition, Ukraine is gradually increasing the area of forests subject to management under the Convention on Biodiversity Protection. Meanwhile, there was forest destruction in Ukraine within 1% in 2020. The reason for the destruction of forests is mainly due to forestry.

SDG 16: Peace and Justice-Strong Institutions 

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive instructions at all levels

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Indicator 17.1.2 Proportion of domestic budget funded by domestic taxes

• Goal : Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection

• Ukraine : Ukraine's tax revenue is on the rise. However, when the purpose of expanding tax revenue is to improve government capacity, it is necessary to compare it with the size of government spending. We added government expenditure data, and Ukraine's government expenditure was chronically greater than income. Therefore, it seems that the Ukrainian government needs to simultaneously promote policies aimed at increasing taxes and reducing spending. The direction of the actual data also appears like this.

Indicator 17.3.1 Foreign Direct Investment(FDI)

• Goal : Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries

• Ukraine : Ukraine is a foreign direct investment target country. According to a Ukrainian government report, as of 2015, total fixed capital accounted for only 13.3% of GDP, the lowest level of foreign direct investment in Europe as of 2016. Therefore, expanding foreign investment is one of the main goals of the Ukrainian government. To this end, Ukraine is striving to enhance its capabilities as an attractive investment destination by strengthening cooperation with international organizations. However, due to continuous political and diplomatic instability, the performance remains almost the same. In particular, the graph shows a sharp decline in investment between 2014 and 2015 due to the 'Crimean Crisis'.

Summary

• Compared to the existing policies promoted in Ukraine when SDGs were first created, the report that analyzed the priorities of SDGs in Ukraine and the actual performance after six years were compared and analyzed.

• Some policies were also focused on by the government and achieved good results (GOAL1, GOAL10). However, some policies were carried out with interest by the government, but some did not produce as much results. In the case of Ukraine, external problems such as decisively persistent political and economic instability had a great influence. Even now, tensions between Ukraine and Russia are intensifying. If there is a dispute, it has an adverse impact not only on the economic side but also on the overall society, such as the occurrence of refugees, an increase in unemployment, and infrastructure destruction.

• Another case is that the government conducted it with an intermediate degree of interest, and the results came out to that extent. This will require further strengthening of the government's efforts.

• Finally, the government's intermediate or low interest and poor performance accordingly. There are goals that are not very important to Ukraine, such as marine issues. However, in the case of GOAL16, even if the Ukrainian government did not focus at the time, it is a matter of increasing importance in the ongoing conflict situation, so it is necessary to consider it as an exception.

Conclusion

• Ukraine, despite its wide and fertile territory and excellent human resources, has yet to grow as much as its potential due to persistent conflicts and tensions. The fact could be found by looking at each SDG indicator how the 2014-2015 conflict affected Ukraine. War affects economic growth, refugees, destruction of residence, HIV incidence, and poverty. On the one hand, the economic recession caused by the war led to CO2 reduction. As such, each indicator is closely connected to each other.

• If the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and the Soviet Union becomes a reality, Ukraine's growth will once again be delayed. In order to achieve Ukraine's SDG goals, conflicts will have to be resolved peacefully.

References

1. Institute for Social and Economic Research(ISER, NGO), 2015, Implementing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in Ukraine: analysis of government strategies and public policy, Ukraine

2. Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine, Sustainable Development Goals: Ukraine, 2017

3. Sustainable Development Report, 2021, SDR-2021-Ukraine.pdf

4. https://mronline.org/2021/07/09/why-are-children-suffering-from-hunger-in-ukraine/

5. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/ukraine-gender-quotas/

6. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53233387

7. https://nypost.com/2020/05/02/flooding-forces-70k-on-kazakhstan-uzbekistan-border-to-flee/

Data Sources

• https://sdg-tracker.org/

• https://databank.worldbank.org/reports.aspx?source=sustainable-development-goals-(sdgs)

• https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/UNSDG/IndDatabasePage

• https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/map/goals/SDG12

• https://aric.snu.ac.kr/data-service/data-archive/un-sdgs