Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Cyprus has expressed concern about the results of the 2025 Sustainable Development Report (SDR), where Cyprus has ranked 56th out of 167 countries globally, and last among EU member states with an overall score of 73.8.
Adding that there was a slight improvement compared to 72.9 in 2024, SDSN Cyprus said the new report introduces the simplified SDG Index (SDGi), based on 17 key headline indicators. and that since 2015, Cyprus has improved by 4.3 percentage points, compared to a 5.1-point improvement for the European average.
Earlier this year, in the 2025 European Sustainable Development Report (ESDR), Cyprus ranked 32nd out of 34 countries, with a score of 62.7.
However, despite methodological differences, the results of both reports show that Cyprus faces serious structural weaknesses in key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It said that the most problematic indicators in the Global Report are excessive nitrogen use in agriculture (SDG 2), low women’s representation in parliament (SDG 5), high water consumption through imports (SDG 6), low share of renewable energy sources (SDG 7), fatal workplace accidents embodied in imports (SDG 8), insufficient investment in research & development (SDG 9), high inequality (SDG 10), low e-waste recycling and plastic waste exports (SDG 12), high CO₂ emissions (SDG 13), overfishing and limited protected areas on land and sea (SDGs 14 & 15), arms exports and issues with press freedom (SDG 16) and low development aid and poor tax transparency (SDG 17)
The European Report identifies similar problems, with additional emphasis on climate action and waste management.
According to the SDSN, some of the low scores are related to Cyprus’ particular circumstances, that is the divided status of the island which affects the proportion of protected wildlife areas, climate change and the geographical location of Cyprus, which impact water resource availability.
However, despite the challenges, Cyprus has achieved notable successes, such as SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), while making strong progress on SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
It also notes that most of the indicators can be improved through targeted national policy, institutional coordination, and civil society engagement. Priority should be given to Climate Action (SDG 13), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and life below water (SDG 14).
