Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Reports Between 2018 and 2023: Malmquist Index Analysis for the Performance of OECD Countries

Abstract

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), calling for urgent action to end poverty, reduce inequality, and secure a sustainable future. Within this global agenda, the commitment of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is particularly significant given its institutional capacity and international influence. This study examines Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) reports for 2018-2023 using the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) as an alternative performance measurement tool. The MPI allows assessment of annual changes in total factor productivity and efficiency differences across OECD members. Rather than directly measuring absolute progress toward the SDGs, the analysis evaluates relative efficiency dynamics among countries in transforming sustainability-related indicators over time. The results provide comparative insights into how OECD countries improve or deteriorate in their relative sustainability performance within the observed period. The results show that OECD countries display uneven progress, with some improving while others stagnate or decline, and reveal persistent disparities in efficiency and productivity. By providing a dynamic and comparative evaluation, the study contributes to quantitative SDG monitoring and offers insights for policymakers seeking to enhance sustainable development strategies.