ABSTRACT
South Asia is not on track to achieve most SDGs, and in some countries and for certain goals, the direction of change is the opposite of what is required. Goal One is the only one currently on track, but that may reflect measurement issues rather than actual progress towards the elimination of poverty. Otherwise, most goals will be missed at the current rate of progress, and for at least 12 of the targets, the direction of change is negative. One important reason for this is the persistence and even increase in inequalities, suggesting that striving towards Goal 10 may be an important precondition for meeting the other goals in this region.
