The document compares and contrasts the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The MDGs had 8 goals and targeted developing countries from 2000-2015, while the SDGs have 17 goals, target the entire world from 2015-2030, and were formulated through a more inclusive consultation process. The SDGs also have a broader scope that focuses holistically on economic, social, and environmental development in a sustainable manner.

1. Difference between Millennium Development
Goal(MDG) and Sustainable Development
Goal(SDG)
Prepared by:
Mr. Samrat Gurung(Pokhara, Nepal)
tamusamrat1@gmail.com
+977-9803620804

2. MDG SDG
1.Full Form
Millennium Development
Goal(MDG)
Sustainable Development
Goal(SDG)
2.Number of Goals 8 goals (limited goals)
17 goals (more
comprehensive)
3.Number of Targets 21 169
4.Implication
framework
2000-2015 2015-2030

3. MDG SDG
5.General scope/ focus Social
Economic growth, social
inclusion & environmental
protection
6.Implication framework 2000-2015(MDGs are the
predecessor of SDG)
2015-2030(SDGs are
successor to the MDGs)
7.Approach Top-Down Process Inclusive goal setting
process

4. MDG SDG
8.Target
Developing countries, particularly the
poorest (The MDGs were in the context
of “rich donors aiding poor recipients.”)
Entire world (rich and poor)
9.Formulation Produced by a group of experts
Result of consultation process
among:
-193 UN Member States
-Civil society
-Other stakeholders
10.Focused
areas
MDG could not focus holistically on
development. It mainly focused on
social dimensions and better health
SDG focuses holistically on
development.

5. MDG SDG
11.Source of funding
MDGs were largely
envisioned to be funded
by aid flows, which did not
materialize
SDGs put sustainable, inclusive
economic development at the core
of the strategy
12.Delivery focus Narrow: Poverty reduction Broad: Global development with and
for sustainability.
Beyond the symptoms of poverty to
issues of peace, stability, human
rights and good governance.
13. Statics used Traditional statics Traditional statics + data revolution

6. MDG SDG
14.Focus The MDG targets for 2015
were set to get us “half way”
to the goal of ending hunger
and poverty, with similar
proportional goals in other
fields.
The SDGs are designed to
finish the job – to get to a
statistical “zero” on hunger,
poverty, preventable child
deaths and other targets.
15. Funds for
implementation
The MDGs were largely
envisioned to be funded by aid
flows.
SDG address the ability of
countries and also social
challenges largely through
improving their own revenue
generating capabilities.

7. MDG SDG
16.Prioritization
of goal
Prioritized social needs over
economic and
environmental ones (Seven
social goal and just one
environmental goal)
Three dimension: Economic, Social
and Environmental Aspects
17. Disabilities
concern
No reference to person with
disabilities
7 references in SDG: education(2),
employment inequalities, inclusive
cities(2), disaggregation of data by
disability. ( All together 11 agenda
2030 and 9 in global indicators)

8. MDG SDG
18.Nature of goal Simplicity: Single set of
goals of 21st century
Universal goal
19.Scope of work
MDG only emphasized on
the prevalent challenges
SDG emphasizes on
present and upcoming
challenges
20.Cost
MDGs were less costly
compared to SDG
SDGs are much more
costly compared to MDGs