This paper examines the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), an eight-goal framework adopted in 2000 and targeted for completion by 2015. The paper outlines the structure of the MDGs — including their goals, targets, and indicators — and evaluates progress toward each. It discusses the mixed record of achievement, highlighting gains made by countries such as China and India while noting the persistent struggles of Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper also considers mechanisms such as debt relief initiatives, the role of donor nations, and the special challenges facing women in poverty. Drawing on scholars including Collier, Sachs, and Cassels, the paper concludes that while the MDGs were ambitious and morally vital, full achievement by 2015 was unlikely for the world's poorest regions.
In 2000, the United Nations adopted an agreement to address and improve upon many of the world's most pressing challenges. Initially recognized as the "United Nations Millennium Declaration," the overarching vision was broken down into a more concrete form known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It was decided that the framework would be benchmarked against outcomes from 1990 and was designed to be accomplished by the year 2015. These goals, while worthy in their ambition, proved to be highly motivated but not entirely successful. A central question emerges: was it ever realistic to achieve such extraordinary goals within the relatively short timeframe the United Nations had set for itself?
The Millennium Development Goals agreement is organized into eight key goals representing the broad thematic priorities of the initiative. Each of these goals is further divided into "targets" — more detailed resolutions intended to be reached. Beneath the targets, the United Nations established "indicators," which are specific measurable standards placed in order to monitor progress toward the goals.
For example, the first goal of the MDG is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. Within this goal, one target is to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people. The indicators for this target include the measurable growth rate of GDP per employed person and the employment-to-population ratio ("Official List of MDG Indicators," January 15, 2008). This three-tier structure — goals, targets, and indicators — forms the operational backbone of the Millennium Development Goals. To summarize, the eight goals are as follows:
Progress toward the goals has been uneven. Some nations achieved several of the targets, while others were not on track to meet any of them. A United Nations summit in September 2010 reviewed progress to date and concluded with the adoption of a comprehensive action plan to achieve the eight anti-poverty objectives before the 2015 deadline. New commitments were also made regarding women's and children's health, along with new initiatives in the global fight against disease, hunger, and poverty.
The countries making the most significant strides included China — whose population living in poverty fell from 452 million to 278 million — and India, driven by demographic and economic growth factors (Collier, 2007). However, regions that needed improvement most urgently, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, had yet to make meaningful structural changes to improve quality of life. Sub-Saharan Africa managed to reduce poverty by roughly one percentage point, placing it at serious risk of not reaching the MDGs by 2015 (Cassels, 2009). Scholars at the Overseas Development Institute noted that fundamental issues — particularly gender inequality and the disconnect between aid programs and commercial development — would determine whether the MDGs were ultimately achieved.
"Poverty traps and uneven development across regions"
"G-8, IMF, and MDRI debt forgiveness initiatives"
"Women in poverty and MDG accountability gaps"
Forsyth, T., 2006. Encyclopedia of International Development. Chicago: Routledge.
Hanhimäki, J. M., 2008. The United Nations: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Sachs, J., 2005. The End of Poverty: How We Can Make It Happen in Our Lifetime. Boston: Penguin.
You’re 35% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 3 sections.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.