Sustainable Development Goal 16
"Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels"
Linkage with other SDGs
Promoting peace, justice, and effective institutions is foundational for achieving sustainable development. Without stable governance, inclusive decision-making, and protection of human rights, progress across economic, social, and environmental dimensions becomes severely hindered.
The following direct and indirect interlinkages exist between SDG 16 and all other SDGs:
SDG 1 - No Poverty: Conflicts and weak institutions perpetuate poverty by disrupting livelihoods and access to basic services. Transparent governance reduces corruption and ensures resources reach those in need. Example: Post-conflict reconstruction programs in Rwanda have rebuilt institutions, reducing poverty and enhancing economic resilience.
SDG 2 - Zero Hunger: Conflicts often disrupt agricultural systems and food supply chains, exacerbating hunger. Peaceful societies with strong institutions promote equitable access to food and agricultural resources. Example: In South Sudan, peace agreements have facilitated humanitarian aid, reducing hunger in conflict-affected regions.
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being: Violence and instability undermine healthcare systems, leaving populations vulnerable to disease and limited medical care. Strong institutions ensure equitable healthcare access even in crisis situations. Example: In Sierra Leone, post-conflict health reforms have improved maternal and child health outcomes.
SDG 4 - Quality Education: Violent conflicts and weak governance limit access to education, particularly for girls and marginalised groups. Strong institutions prioritiz=se education access and protect schools from violence. Example: Refugee education programs in Jordan have ensured that displaced children have continued access to schooling despite regional instability.
SDG 5 - Gender Equality: Gender-based violence and discrimination often rise in conflict settings. Peaceful societies and fair institutions enforce laws protecting women’s rights and promoting gender equality. Example: Legal reforms in Tunisia have strengthened women’s rights and provided protections against gender-based violence.
SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation: Weak institutions often result in unequal access to water and sanitation services, particularly in marginalised communities. Transparent governance ensures fair resource distribution. Example: Water-sharing agreements between countries in Central Asia have improved access to clean water while preventing conflicts.
SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy: Energy infrastructure is vulnerable to conflict and corruption. Peaceful societies ensure equitable access to affordable energy, driving development and reducing inequality. Example: Solar electrification projects in Somalia have improved access to energy in post-conflict areas.
SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth: Instability discourages investment, stalling economic growth and job creation. Transparent institutions and the rule of law promote business confidence and sustainable growth. Example: Governance reforms in Colombia have attracted foreign investments and created jobs in previously conflict-affected areas.
SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Strong institutions foster infrastructure development and innovation, ensuring equitable access to resources and services. Conflict and corruption hinder progress in these areas. Example: Infrastructure reconstruction programs in post-conflict Bosnia and Herzegovina have improved connectivity and reduced regional disparities.
SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities: Inequality often fuels social unrest and violence. Just institutions promote equity by ensuring access to opportunities and resources for marginalised groups. Example: Inclusive governance models in South Africa have reduced income and social inequalities.
SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities: Safe and inclusive cities require strong institutions to enforce urban planning, reduce violence, and promote equitable access to services. Example: Community policing initiatives in Medellín, Colombia, have significantly reduced urban crime and improved safety.
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: Illegal exploitation of natural resources drives conflict and environmental degradation. Transparent governance ensures sustainable resource management. Example: Certification programs like Kimberley Process have reduced the trade of conflict diamonds globally.
SDG 13 - Climate Action: Climate change exacerbates conflicts over scarce resources like water and arable land. Strong institutions promote conflict resolution and coordinated climate adaptation efforts. Example: Community-based climate adaptation projects in Chad have reduced resource-related conflicts.
SDG 14 - Life Below Water: Weak institutions often fail to enforce marine protection laws, leading to illegal fishing and biodiversity loss. Effective governance ensures sustainable use of marine resources. Example: Regional marine cooperation agreements in the Pacific have improved fisheries management and reduced illegal activities.
SDG 15 - Life on Land: Deforestation and illegal wildlife trade thrive in areas with weak governance. Protecting terrestrial ecosystems requires strong institutions to enforce conservation laws. Example: Anti-poaching initiatives in Kenya have strengthened wildlife protection efforts while fostering community involvement.
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals: International cooperation supports governance reforms and capacity-building in fragile states. Partnerships provide technical expertise and funding to strengthen institutions. Example: The United Nations’ Peace-building Fund has supported institution-building in post-conflict Liberia.
Consquence of failing to reach targets
Failure to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions undermines global progress:
- Poverty (SDG 1) persists as conflict and corruption hinder equitable resource distribution.
- Hunger (SDG 2) worsens as agricultural systems and food supply chains collapse in unstable regions
- Inequalities (SDG 10) deepen as marginalized groups lack access to justice and opportunities.
- Environmental degradation (SDGs 13, 14, and 15) accelerates as weak institutions fail to enforce protections.
Peace, justice, and strong institutions are the foundation for a stable and equitable world. By addressing violence, corruption, and inequity, societies can unlock progress across all dimensions of development.
SDG 16: Targets, Indicators, Progress and Data
Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age.
16.1.2: Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population, by sex, age and cause.
16.1.3: Proportion of population subjected to (a) physical violence, (b) psychological violence and/or (c) sexual violence in the previous 12 months.
16.1.4: Proportion of population that feel safe walking alone around the area they live after dark.
- The global homicide rate gradually decreased, falling from 5.9 victims per 100,000 population in 2015 to 5.5 in 2020. However, this trend was disrupted in 2021, with a sharp rise to 5.8 victims per 100,000 population, only slightly decreasing to 5.6 in 2022. High levels of violence linked to organised crime and gang activities in Latin America and the Caribbean, along with Africa's heightened vulnerability to homicide, continue to contribute to these regions having the highest homicide rates and numbers globally.
- The number of civilian deaths in armed conflict skyrocketed in 2023. Between 2022 and 2023, civilian casualties increased by 72%, the highest increase since 2015. In 2023, seven out of ten recorded deaths occurred in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel. Moreover, for the second consecutive year, the number of civilians killed in conflict has risen dramatically; reversing the downward trend between 2016 and 2019. By 2023, the number of civilian casualties had risen to over 33,400, almost matching the peak of 2015. By 2023, four out of every ten civilians killed in conflicts were women, and three in ten civilians killed were children, doubling and tripling, respectively, the previous year’s proportion.
- Data on experience of violence, remain limited outside of Europe and Northern America and Latin America and the Caribbean. Available data show women and men are not impacted by the same type of violence. The median prevalence of sexual violence in countries with data is 3.0% for women compared to just 0.8% for men. However, the median prevalence of physical violence is 3.0% for men compared to 2.1% for women.
End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
16.2.1: Proportion of children aged 1–17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the past month.
16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age and form of exploitation.
16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18–29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18.
Violent discipline is the most common and widespread form of violence against children. In 82 (mostly low- and middle-income) countries with available data from 2015 to 2023, nearly 8 in 10 children from 1 to 14 years of age were subjected to some form of psychological aggression and/or physical punishment at home in the past month.
Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
16.3.1: Proportion of victims of (a) physical, (b) psychological and/or (c) sexual violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimisation to competent authorities or other officially recognised conflict resolution mechanisms.
16.3.2: Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population.
16.3.3: Proportion of the population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism.
- Available data for 53 countries for the period 2010-2022 shows that the proportion of victims of physical assault and robbery in the previous 12 months that reported their victimisation to competent authorities, shows a median proportion in countries with data of 36% and 45%, respectively. This is notably higher than the proportion of victims of sexual assault that reported their victimisation, for which the median in countries with available data was of 17%.
- Globally, the estimated number of persons in detention was 11.4 million in 2022, representing a prison-population rate of 142 prisoners per 100,000 population. In 2022, nearly a third (3.5 million) of the global prison population was being held in pre-trial detention and their share remained stable between 2015 and 2022 (around 30%).
By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organised crime.
16.4.1: Total value of inward and outward illicit financial flows (in current United States dollars).
16.4.2: Proportion of seized, found or surrendered arms whose illicit origin or context has been traced or established by a competent authority in line with international instruments.
Not reported on the UN SDG website.
Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
16.5.1: Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months.
16.5.2: Proportion of businesses that had at least one contact with a public official and that paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials during the previous 12 months.
Based on data from 138 countries between 2015 and 2022, 19% of people who had contact with public officials in the last 12 months reported being asked to pay or paid a bribe to a public official. Regional differences range from an average of 32% in low-income countries to 9% in high-income countries.
Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar).
16.6.2: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services.
Budget reliability improved in 2021 and 2022, reaching an average of 13.5% compared with 15.3 % in 2020 but remained weaker than pre-pandemic levels with 10.6% on average. In part, this is due to the incidence of new international challenges including global political stresses, inflation and resource price volatility.
Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
16.7.1: Proportions of positions in national and local institutions, including (a) the legislatures; (b) the public service; and (c) the judiciary, compared to national distributions, by sex, age, persons with disabilities and population groups.
16.7.2: Proportion of population who believe decision-making is inclusive and responsive, by sex, age, disability and population group.
The overall representation of people under the age of 45 or less in parliaments is increasing globally but with contrasting trends: a rise in developing countries and a decline in developed ones. Moreover, growth in women’s share of parliamentary leadership posts continues to be slow-moving, albeit steady. As of 1 January 2024, women presided over 23.8% of parliaments as Speakers (an increase of 2.9 percentage points since 2021) and held 27.2% of committee chair posts.
Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.
16.8.1: Proportion of members and voting rights of developing countries in international organisations.
Not reported on the UN SDG website.
By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration.
16.9.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority, by age.
While a few regions like Northern America and Europe and Australia and New Zealand have achieved universal birth registration, only half of African children under five have had their births registered.
Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.
16.10.1: Number of verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and torture of journalists, associated media personnel, trade unionists and human rights advocates in the previous 12 months.
16.10.2: Number of countries that adopt and implement constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information.
- The number of killings of human rights defenders, journalists, and trade unionists recorded by national human rights institutions and the United Nations decreased in 2023; to 320 cases in 40 countries, compared to 448 cases in 36 countries in 2022. In conflict zones, however, there was a sharp increase in journalists and media workers killed – 40 lives lost – reversing the downward trend since 2017. Additionally, enforced disappearances have been nearly doubling for the second consecutive year, with at least 54 cases reported across 14 countries in 2023. Strong protection frameworks are therefore needed to stem this trend, particularly in countries where violent conflict or social unrest erupts or escalates.
- In 2024, 140 countries had laws that specifically guaranteed the rights of citizens to access public information, up from 105 in 2015 and 14 in 1990.
Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.
16.A.1: Existence of independent national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles.
Between 2015 and 2023, the number of countries with independent national human rights institutions (NHRIs) meeting international standards increased by 23%. More than 40% of countries now have independent NHRIs.
Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.
16.B.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.
Not reported on the UN SDG website.