EVALUATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICIES IN THE EU COUNTRIES IN THE PERIOD 2000-2023

Abstract

This study evaluates the sustainable development policies of the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) for the period 2000–2023. In this context, indicators obtained from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Eurostat databases were used to analyze the progress of EU countries toward achieving sustainable development goals. The aim of the study is to examine sustainable development within a comprehensive framework encompassing its social, economic, and environmental dimensions and to reveal the performance differences of EU countries in these areas. The social dimension is represented by the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Gender Inequality Index (GII); the economic dimension by gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates and energy efficiency; and the environmental dimension by greenhouse gas emissions per capita and environmental tax revenues. The findings indicate that EU countries have generally made significant progress toward sustainable development goals, although there are notable regional disparities within the Union. Social indicators reveal high levels of human development along with a decreasing trend in gender inequality, while economic indicators show that growth has become integrated with environmental and social aspects. From an environmental perspective, greenhouse gas emissions have generally declined, yet national differences in environmental tax revenues persist. In conclusion, the EU is identified as a leading global actor in sustainable development; however, strengthening policy coherence remains critically important for achieving a more balanced and inclusive sustainability vision across the Union.