Accordingly, the United Nations (UN) publishes an annual report analysing how each goal is progressing. Below is a brief outline of current fulfilment of the SDGs based on the 2021 report:

Ending poverty. This goal has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, since it has been calculated that in 2020, some 119 - 124 million people fell into extreme poverty.

Ending hunger. The pandemic has also affected this goal, given that 70-161 million people around the world went hungry as a result of the health crisis.

Ensuring good health and fostering the well-being of all age groups. After a decade of advances in this field, the pandemic has resulted in a shortening of life expectancy. Additionally, it is difficult to measure the real impact of the pandemic due to a lack of data.

Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education. Although the completion rates for primary and secondary education have increased, in many countries, there is a lack of basic school infrastructure in terms of drinking water and electricity.

Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and children. In this area, more needs to be done, since women make up just 25.6% of national parliaments, 36.3% of local governments and 28.2% of managerial positions.

Ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. According to UN data, 129 countries are not on track to achieve sustainable water resources by 2030.

Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, clean and modern energy for all. In the world there are still some 759 million people without access to electricity.

Promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Although the economic recovery is underway, the pandemic has meant a loss equivalent to 255 million full-time jobs.

Building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and fostering innovation. Global manufacturing production fell in 2020 but, at the end of the same year, the production of medium and high-tech goods boosted the economic recovery.
Reducing inequality within and among countries. To achieve this objective by 2030 further development is required because the pandemic is expected to affect the progress achieved so far in terms of reducing inequality.

Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. UN data reveals than 156 countries have already developed national urban policies, but only half have been implemented.

Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. Just as we noted at the start of the article, there is still widespread consumption of plastic. In 2020, however, a total of 700 policies and implementation activities were reported under the framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production.
Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Many countries and companies are making a major effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but more actions need to be taken to curb climate change.

Conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Without doubt, as shown by the data cited in the introduction, the sustainability of our oceans is threatened above all by plastic pollution.

Protecting, restoring and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. Progress to protect key areas of biodiversity has stalled over the past 5 years and there are ever more endangered species.

Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. The pandemic has intensified children's risk of exploitation for child labour, and only 82 countries have independent national human rights institutions that meet international standards.

Strengthening the means of implementation and revitalising the global partnership for sustainable development. Some 63% of low and lower-middle income countries need additional funding to cope with the pandemic.

As you can see, the UN report highlights the need to make major progress if we want to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. In this respect, and from an individual perspective, everyone has the responsibility to act and educate themselves to ensure sustainable development.