Malta climbs 12 places in global sustainability rankings despite rising pollution levels

Malta has significantly improved its standing in a global index tracking progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), despite facing persistent environmental challenges, particularly in air and sea pollution.

According to the 2025 edition of the Sustainable Development Report, published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), Malta ranked 24th out of 167 countries – a notable jump from last year’s 36th place. The country achieved a score of 79.3, marking a two-point increase from the previous year and outperforming the regional average by seven points.

The annual report evaluates countries' progress on the 17 SDGs, a set of global targets adopted by all UN member states in 2015 and intended to be met by 2030. These goals cover a wide range of social, economic, and environmental priorities, including poverty eradication, gender equality, sustainable cities, and climate action.

Malta’s overall improvement in the rankings comes despite continued difficulties in key environmental indicators, particularly under SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water), both of which the report categorises as facing “significant” or “major” challenges.

The report notes that Malta has fully achieved SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), although progress on both goals is currently stagnating. Meanwhile, moderate improvements were observed in areas such as health and wellbeing, gender equality, clean energy, and innovation. However, these goals continue to present ongoing challenges.

Other goals, including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), were flagged as facing major or significant challenges, with little or no progress recorded.

Malta's highest-performing areas are primarily in social development, whereas its lowest-performing areas are largely environmental, a trend that is also reflected across much of the Southern European region.

The report warns that, despite improvements, no country is currently on track to achieve all 17 SDGs by the 2030 deadline.