What are the 169 targets under each of the 17 SDGs and where can the exact text be found?
Executive summary
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) comprise 169 specific targets that translate the goals into time‑bound and measurable commitments; those targets and their official wording are published by the United Nations in the 2030 Agenda documents and associated UN resolutions and resource compilations [1] [2] [3]. The canonical sources for the exact, authoritative text are the UN’s "Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" and the annexes and resolutions that reproduce the targets and indicator framework [1] [4].
1. What the 169 targets are, in plain terms
Each of the 17 SDGs contains a set of targets—typically outcome targets (what should be achieved) and means‑of‑implementation targets (how to achieve it)—that together total 169 distinct commitments, for example Goal 1 (No poverty) has seven targets while other goals commonly have eight to twelve targets each, and Goal 17 focuses on means of implementation across finance, technology, capacity building and partnerships [2] [4] [5].
2. Where the exact, authoritative text can be found
The authoritative, official text of the 17 goals and all 169 targets appears in the UN 2030 Agenda document "Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" and in the UN Secretary‑ or General Assembly documents and annexes that published the indicator framework and target lists; these UN publications are hosted on the UN SDG portal and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs pages [1] [2] [3].
3. Where to find downloadable and machine‑readable lists
For practical access, the UN provides downloadable resources: the SDG goals page and resource documents include target overviews and PDFs that list the targets verbatim (for example the SDG Resource Document: Targets Overview PDF) and the UN resolution depositing the global indicator framework reproduces the targets and indicators in annexes [6] [4]. These are the items to cite for exact wording in any legal, academic or policy work [4].
4. Complementary public compilations and trackers — useful but secondary
Multiple reputable secondary sources compile the targets into single webpages or guides—Wikipedia maintains a consolidated list of targets and indicators and independent organizations (e.g., academic, NGO, and corporate guides) publish compact reference lists—but these are derived from the UN texts and should be cross‑checked against the official UN documents for exact phrasing and legal citation [4] [7] [5].
5. Context, caveats and critiques to bear in mind
The targets are designed to be universal and measurable by 2030, though some targets have no end date and 21 have different temporal terms; the indicator framework has been refined since adoption and was formalized in UN resolutions in 2017 with subsequent updates to indicators, so users seeking the precise current wording and linked indicators should consult the resolution annexes and the UN’s updated indicator lists [4] [1]. Critics have argued that 169 targets produce a sprawling agenda that can be difficult to operationalize and prioritize—an argument reflected in contemporary commentary during the SDG adoption process [7].
6. How to obtain exact quotes for each target right now
To obtain verbatim text for any or all of the 169 targets, download the UN 2030 Agenda and the SDG Targets Overview PDF from the UN SDG portal and consult the annex to the UN General Assembly resolution that published the indicator framework (these UN sources reproduce the targets and the associated indicators authoritatively) [1] [6] [4]. Secondary compendia and national SDG portals can be used for navigation and explanation but not as substitutes for the UN primary documents when exact wording matters [2] [3].