Assessing National Progress in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: A Case Study of Morocco

Abstract

The achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for any nation has become more of an urgent priority in the global agenda than at any time before, especially under the light of recent disrupting events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the alarming food–water–energy trilemma, and the geopolitical upheavals impacting the supply chain of vital commodities. Assessing the sustainable progress of a country over time can help policy makers establish and develop robust strategies by identifying their strengths and weaknesses, allocating adequate resources, and understanding how far the country is from achieving the SDGs. No prior research has evaluated the SDGs performance composite index in Morocco. Hence, this study evaluates the national level of SDG progress by analyzing 13 out of 17 SDGs, including 46 available economic, social, and environmental indicators from 2001 to 2018, to provide factual data that can be used as a decision-making basis. The selection of indicators is established based on the framework adopted by the UN General Assembly. A composite index was created and quantified using the min–max normalization technique, the geometric product aggregation, and the overall scores of Morocco’s SDG performance and the different dimensions were calculated. The results show that economic performance was the worst among the other dimensions. Morocco is progressing to achieve the environmental and social targets, but more effort is required to absorb the needs linked with population growth and improvement of living standards. The developed framework could be of great interest for scientists and researchers to assess the national SDG progress of other countries.

1. Introduction

The globe is expanding and moving forward at a rapid pace because of technological advancement. One of the important issues is that not everyone considers the repercussions of disproportionate economic expansion, such as its effects on human well-being and on the environment. For this reason, ‘Sustainable Development’ (SD) was defined as “The progress that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” [1]. The UN Sustainable Development Summit that was held in 2015 adopted the 2030 Development Agenda [2]. An action plan for the planet, people, and equal well-being has been developed to provide a multidimensional framework of international development. With the agreement of 193 member states, this transformative vision includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) covering three cornerstones (economy, society, and the environment) with 169 targets. To achieve these SDGs, continuous monitoring and evaluation of performance at the national level are crucial to help each country identify its strategy weakness points, supporting target prioritization and resource allocation.

Morocco is participating in Agenda 2030 and is actively working to improve its development transition. The country has committed to the fundamentals of sustainability via the adoption of proactive sectorial strategies across the social, environmental, and economic dimensions. Morocco has also demonstrated its engagement through submitting National Voluntary Reports (VNRs). These reports focus on strategies and institutional consultations and tend to be qualitative and narrative. However, it is also critical to undertake quantitative assessments of progress toward the SDGs. In this context, we provide a quantitative assessment of the SDGs at the national level from the Morocco’s perspective with the aim of identifying gaps in progress and improving national policies to achieve Agenda 2030.

Despite the country’s efforts to improve the overall SDG rate (Figure 1), its ranking tended to decline significantly from 69th to 84th position with a score of 68.98, which was above the MENA region score but lower than the SDG score (70.5) during 2021. The country is ranked third (69th) in North Africa, behind Tunisia (64th) and Algeria (63rd). However, Morocco is aiming to promote the country to the rest of the globe while working to achieve the SDGs’ objectives for well-being, renewable energy, economic expansion, and good health.

Different stakeholders have explained that Agenda 2030 would not be evaluated based on what had been planned at first, but on the outcome [2]. On that account, the SDGs must be assessed based on their achievement level through an assessment tool to identify both the strengths and the weaknesses of the strategies implemented [3,4]. The SDG assessment serves as a progress monitor, and it could also serve as a reference for other countries. Consequently, successful programs can be improved by assessing the results [5].

2. Literature Review

Since the adoption of the SDG, there has been an important increase in interest to assess the progress made in terms of sustainable development on different dimensions and levels (global, regional, national, sub-national, provincial, etc.). Among those assessments, M. Carrillo [6] has assessed the sustainability performance and evaluated whether progress is being made toward the SDGs in 27 countries via 18 indicators through a methodological approach. According to this research, policymakers must review and evaluate the progress made in achieving the objectives of economic success, social well-being, and environmental quality. However, evaluating the SDGs could aid in increasing civil society knowledge and awareness, providing inspiration to improve performance, and exchanging sustainable best practices. Similarly, Elavarasan et al. [7] have also analyzed the energy sustainability aspects in 40 European countries using six indicators through a normalization method. The country’s progress assessment will serve as a tool to enhance the strategies implemented to straighten the road map to achieve the targets. The indicators that are used to construct the framework must precisely be selected as they might impact the outcome of the assessment. In addition, Kynčlová et al. [8] measured the achievement progress toward SDG 9 of 128 countries using seven indicators. The SDG 9 index is a direct approach to monitoring how countries promote industrialization while considering social prosperity and environmental protection. The results indicated that economic development must take into consideration the efficient use of technology, as well as the efficient use of natural assets and energy.

Many studies have been conducted at regional level [9,10,11], Huan et al. [12] presented a novel methodological framework for SDG analysis and assessment via 209 indicators and 429 specific indicators; the study focused on Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in the central Asia region. The outcome is that better and greater efforts are necessary to enhance the strategies implemented in areas that require further attention. It is also crucial to overcome data collection gaps as they impact the long-term performance analysis. The framework used in the assessment could be extended and serve to monitor other countries’ performances as interconnections among them exist. Nhemachena et al. [13] developed a composite baseline index in southern Africa to guide reporting progress in 13 countries. The paper indicated that it is necessary to evaluate the commitment at regional and global levels in the agriculture sector to achieve the SDGs nationally and locally. Despite data unavailability for some indicators, the composite index analysis could serve to detect which areas need improvements.

In the same context, Allen et al. [14] selected 56 indicators to evaluate the SDG achievement progress in the Arab region while explaining the interlinkage between the SDGs. The indicators are crucial in the implementation of evidence-based strategies. It is also vital to put human well-being at the core of analysis while putting in place the indicator frameworks that are a tool to assist countries to guide their progress toward achieving the SDGs. Munda and Saisana [15] determined the SDG progress in the Mediterranean region through a multicriteria approach combined with sensitivity analysis with 29 indicators selected. The study presented a benchmarking method to assess the region’s sustainability performance and has shown that data-based strategies at the regional level help enable a strict sustainability approach.

Nilsson and Larsen [16] provided a fundamental estimation of the global SDGs by adopting seven indicators from the Arctic Social Indicator project, with human dimensions as a focus. This research indicated that the global framework should be used to shape adaptative and suitable indicators for the concerned area as they may differ and may have different perspectives. Using a geographic information system (GIS), Nagabhatla and Brahmbhatt [17] assessed the water–migration interlinkages over three different case studies (Lake Chad, the Aral Sea region, and the Nile Delta). The study applied a multitemporal method and a mixed-tool framework to showcase the interconnection between the different social, economic, and environmental dimensions and the resulting impact amongst them.

Other studies have focused on evaluating SDG progress at provincial level [18,19]. For instance, Andriati and Yusuf [20] evaluated the quality of the available indicators (at a provincial level) to assess the Lampung province in Indonesia through a composite index. Using the normalization and min–max methods, the research has proved that the SDG composite index helps to assess the progress toward the targets’ achievement. The paper’s outcome indicated that the priority should be redirected to goals and areas with the least development, and strategies should be implemented based on this purpose. Umar and Asghar [21] analyzed the current state of SDG achievement in Pakistan using 33 indicators over a composite index (CI). Including proper data is crucial and mandatory for a meaningful evaluation. The paper insisted that achieving the targets is related to seriously taking the strategies implemented and changes made into consideration. Wang et al. [22] have used 52 indicators to evaluate SDG achievement progress using a quantitative method. The synthetic indicator based on a provincial level is unable to reveal the development progress as improvements may vary across different geographical zones within the same country.

In addition, Cole et al. [23] determined the SDG achievement progress at a provincial plan in South Africa through the national barometer. The barometer was based on the elimination of global and national boundaries to present the state of 20 indicators necessary for the assessment of the critical environmental and social challenges. Koh et al. [24] selected 35 indicators in the Gyeonggi province of South Korea via comparative analysis. The study showcased the importance of involving local governments in the process of strategy implementation to enhance sustainability, as the SDG challenges derive from the local regions. The SDGs call for a specific nexus approach because the objectives and targets are intertwined, preventing contradictory strategies amongst the various development components.

Concerning the urban context, several studies have been recently realized [7,25,26]. Xu et al. [27] assessed the SDG achievement progress in the city of Shenzhen in China using 50 indicators through a systematic method. It is important for policy makers to assess cities’ sustainability over time to detect the potential challenges and barriers that could slow the targets’ achievement. The case study could be used for other cities to enhance their strategy implementation. It is suggested that policy makers develop a solid and better SD system with more indicators for a wider assessment, as data unavailability could impact the final outcome. Rama et al. [28] selected 38 indicators to evaluate the sustainability of 31 cities in Spain. Through a composite index, this paper evaluated the progress toward the SDGs and detected variations between the concerned cities. Subsequently, evaluating sustainability in cities is a challenge that policy makers face, and they need to consider the socio-economic indicators rather than considering only the environmental ones. The paper also stated that cities’ developments may differ because of their locations, and data scarcity may have an impact on the assessment. Liu et al. [29] assessed the SDG progress of distinct Chinese cities based on big data according to city rankings and different dimensions. These factors were used to calculate the overall sustainability performance. Their interactions with the triple bottom line (TBL) aspects, as well as the social-economic dimension, were examined through the GeoDetector.

Based on the literature review above, most studies focus on assessing the progress of achieving the SDGs of many countries simultaneously, whether at the global, regional, or provincial levels, or even on assessing numerous cities. However, it is necessary to focus more on assessing sustainability on a national basis since this type of evaluation is still rare worldwide [18]. Few articles have been realized at this level, such as the study conduct by Zhenci Xu in China and by Radhika Bhanja in India [3,30], knowing that a national assessment aims to identify the strengths and weaknesses of sustainable development, then to formulate applicable advice for future strategies.

In this context, this paper developed an SDG assessment framework to quantify the SDGs and provided a demonstration of quantitative assessment of the national progress toward achieving all 17 SDGs in Morocco, a developing country in North Africa. Morocco is trying to successfully achieve the sustainability targets by 2030. However, among the different concerns and challenges, likely the environmental issues (e.g., climate change), social dilemmas, (e.g., poverty), and economic growth breaks, (e.g., inflation), it is necessary to assess the SDGs at different levels to know whether we are progressing toward the goals or heading away from sustainability and to help policy makers examine the strategies implemented and determine areas that need corrective actions. For this reason, good quality data are needed for the assessment as they will provide critical information and will allow us to make an efficient evidence-based decisions. Data availability will increase transparency and different stakeholders’ participation.

Morocco’s progress toward achieving the SDGs at the national level has been tracked by quantifying (scoring) the SDGs over a period of 17 years (from 2001 to 2018). The research utilized a composite index to assess the SDGs. This method is a simple measurement that has been increasingly used to evaluate the progress toward achieving the SDG targets [20,21,28]. The indicator selection is established based on the framework adopted by the UN General Assembly. Forty-six indicators have been included to assess the three-dimensional SDGs (17 goals). The outcome of this paper will contribute to the development of an assessment program, developing the data needed for policymakers to implement adequate and effective policies that would enhance SD in Morocco.

This research is structured as follows: the following first section of the current paper aims to outline the methodology used. Then, the results of the SDG progress assessment will be presented, analyzed, and discussed, along with the sensitivity analysis. The results will be compared with other countries (developing, North Africa, MENA region, etc.) as well. The last part proposes some recommendations based on the results found and also points out the challenges confronted during the analysis.

3. Materials and Methods

3.1. Study Area

Morocco, which is located in the extreme northwest of Africa, covers the area from the Atlantic coast in the west to the Moroccan–Algerian Saharan borders in the east, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the north to the southern borders with Mauritania in the south (Figure 2), with an estimated total area of 446.55 km². It is characterized by a Mediterranean climate, with mild wet winters and hot, dry summers. The rainy season generally extends from October to April. The Moroccan population is about 36.5 million, and in terms of demography, it is considered a young country. According to 2018 statistics, the median age of Moroccans is just 29 years old and the life expectancy is about 77.1 years.

Morocco is seen as a country of opportunity since it is drawing significant investments from all over the world. Its economy has long been considered the most attractive and open among countries in North Africa. Its production, commercial, and banking structures are the most directed by private initiative and the most exposed to foreign markets. This liberal and global dual vocation stems from Morocco’s dominant position in phosphate production and exports. The local economy’s pillars are agriculture and natural assets (raw materials and phosphate).

3.2. Constructing an Indicator Framework and Database

The selection of indicators and the construction of the database were based on the indicator framework proposed by the Inter-Agency Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goals Indicators (IAEG-SDGs). This framework is very instructive for the selection, avoids the decrease in indicators, and reorients the goal content. The relevant data for the Kingdom of Morocco between 2001 and 2018 were collected from the previously mentioned two sources [4,31,32]. The indicator framework was adjusted to reduce the errors caused by the unavailable data. We analyzed each indicator by comparing the related data and subsequently excluded indicators from the framework. This study has only focused on available data, without applying any interpolation for the missing ones, as it might get different emphasis and errors because of the differentiation in the methods of interpolation. Indicators with missing and incomplete data were excluded from the analysis as they will impact on the overall output and give poor-quality baized results. Forty-six indicators have been included to assess the three-dimensional SDGs (17 goals).

Table 1. Extract of the study’s indicator framework.

Dimension	SDG	SDG Target	Indicator	Specific Indicator	Unit	Indicator’sAttribute	DS
Society	SDG1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere.	1.4. By 2030, make sure that all men and women, the poor and also the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to fundamental services, to possessing and controlling land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural assets, and appropriate new financial and technology services.	2	Proportion of population using basic drinking water services, by location (all area)	Percent	Positive	UN
	SDG3. Ensure healthy lives and encouraging prosperity for all at all people with different ages.	3.2. By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children younger than 5 years, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1000 live births.	12	Infant mortality rate	Deaths per 1000 live births	Negative	UN
Economy	SDG9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.	9.2. Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least-developed countries.	22	Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP	Percent	Positive	UN
	SDG17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.	17.4. Assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability through coordinated policies aimed at fostering debt financing, debt relief, and debt restructuring, as appropriate, and address the external debt of highly indebted poor countries to reduce debt distress.	28	Debt service as a proportion of exports of goods and services	Percent	Negative	UN
Environment	SDG7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.	7.2. By 2030, substantially increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.	39	Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption	Percent	Positive	UN
	SDG14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.	14.1. By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.	42	Chlorophyll-a deviations, remote sensing	Percent	Negative	UN

presents the data availability of Morocco’s indicators from 2001 to 2018. All of the selected indicators are summarized in

Table A1. Full list of selected indicators.

Dimension	SDG	SDG Target	Indicator	Specific Indicator	Unit	Indicator’sAttribute	DS
Society	SDG 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere	1.1. By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than USD 1.25 a day	1	Employed population below international poverty line, by sex and age	Percent	Negative	WB
		1.4. By 2030, ensure that all men and women, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance	2	Proportion of population using basic drinking water services, by location (all areas)	Percent	Positive	UN
			3	Proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location (all areas)	Percent	Positive	UN
		1.a. Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular, for least-developed countries, to implement programs and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions	4	Official development assistance grants for poverty reduction, by recipient countries (percentage of GNI)	Percent	Positive	WB
	SDG 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved	2.1. By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, the poor and people invulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round	5	Prevalence of undernourishment	Percent	Negative	WB
	nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture	2.2. By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children younger than 5 years, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and older people	6	Children moderately or severely overweight (<5 years)	Thousands	Negative	WB
			7	Prevalence of wasting in children under 5 years of age	Thousands	Negative	WB
	SDG 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture		8	Children moderately or severely overweight	Thousands	Negative	WB
			9	Prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age (% of women aged 15–49)	%	Negative	WB
		2.a. Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development, and plant and livestock gene banks to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, particularly in least-developed countries	10	The agriculture orientation index for government expenditures	%	Positive	UN
			11	Total official flows (official development assistance plus other official flows) to agriculture	Millions of constant 2019 USD	Positive	UN
	SDG 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages	3.2. By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children younger than 5 years, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1000 live births	12	Infant mortality rate	Deaths per 1000 live births	Negative	UN
			13	Neonatal mortality rate	Deaths per 1000 live births	Negative	UN
		3.3. By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases	14	Number of new HIV infections per 1000 uninfected population, by sex and age	Per 1000 uninfected population	Negative	UN
		3.b. Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to fully use the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all	15	Proportion of the target population with access to three doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis	Percent	Negative	UN
			16	Total official development assistance to medical research and basic heath sectors, gross disbursement, by recipient countries	USD	Positive	UN
	SDG 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls	5.5. Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision making in political, economic, and public life	17	Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments	Percent	Positive	UN
Economy	SDG 10. Reduce inequality within and among countries	10.7. Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies	18	Number of refugees per 100,000 population, by country of origin	Number	Positive	UN
		10.b. Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to states where the need is greatest, in particular least-developed countries, African countries, small-island developing states, and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their national plans and programs	19	Total assistance for development, by recipient countries	Millions USD	Positive	UN
	SDG 8. Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all	8.1. Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7% gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries	20	Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita	Percent	Positive	UN
		8.2. Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, and technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value-added and labor-intensive sectors	21	Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person	Percent	Positive	UN
	SDG 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation	9.2. Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least-developed countries	22	Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP	Percent	Positive	UN
		9.4. By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries acting in accordance with their respective capabilities	23	Carbon dioxide emissions from fuel combustion	Millions of tons	Negative	WB
		9.a. Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries through enhanced financial, technological, and technical support to African countries, least-developed countries, landlocked developing countries, and small-island developing states	24	Total official flows for infrastructure, by recipient countries	Millions of USD	Positive	WB
		9.b. Support domestic technology development, research, and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities	25	Proportion of medium- and high-tech manufacturing value added in total value added	Percent	Positive	WB
	SDG 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development	17.3. Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources	26	Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows	Millions USD	Positive	UN
			27	Volume of remittances (in United States dollars) as a proportion of total GDP	Percent	Positive	UN
		17.4. Assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability through coordinated policies aimed at fostering debt financing, debt relief, and debt restructuring, as appropriate, and address the external debt of highly indebted poor countries to reduce debt distress	28	Debt service as a proportion of exports of goods and services	Percent	Negative	UN
		17.8. Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology, and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least-developed countries by 2017 and enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology	29	Internet users per 100 inhabitants	Percent	Positive	UN
		17.9. Enhance international support for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries to support national plans to implement all the Sustainable Development Goals, including through North–South, South–South, and triangular cooperation	30	Total official development assistance (gross disbursement) for technical cooperation	Millions USD	Positive	UN
		17.13. Enhance global macroeconomic stability, including through policy coordination and policy coherence	31	Annual broad money growth	Percent	Positive	UN
		17.19. By 2030, build on existing initiatives to develop measurements of progress on sustainable development that complement gross domestic product and support statistical capacity-building in developing countries	32	Broad money to total reserves ratio	Percent	Positive	UN
Environment	SDG 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all	6.1. By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all	33	Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services, by urban/rural	Percent	Positive	UN
		6.2. By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations	34	Proportion of population practicing open defecation, by urban/rural	Percent	Negative	WB
		6.4. By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of fresh water to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity	35	Water-use efficiency	USD per cubic meter	Positive	UN
		6.6. By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes	36	Lakes’ and rivers’ permanent water areas	Percent	Positive	UN
		6.a. By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programs, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling, and reuse technologies.	37	Total official development assistance (gross disbursement) for water supply and sanitation, by recipient countries	USD	Positive	WB
	SDG 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all	7.1. By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services	38	Proportion of population with access to electricity, by urban/rural	Percent	Positive	UN
		7.2. By 2030, substantially increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix	39	Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption	Percent	Positive	UN
		7.3. By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency	40	Energy intensity level of primary energy	Megajoules per constant 2017 3P GDP	Positive	UN
	SDG 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns	12.a. Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move toward more sustainable patterns of consumption and production	41	Installed renewable electricity-generating capacity	Watts per capita	Positive	UN
	SDG 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development	14.1. By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution	42	Chlorophyll-a deviations, remote sensing	Percent	Negative	UN
		14.5. By 2020, conserve at least 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information	43	Average proportion of marine key biodiversity areas (KBAs) covered by protected areas	Percent	Positive	UN
	SDG 15. Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss	15.1. By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements	44	Average proportion of freshwater key biodiversity areas (KBAs) covered by protected areas	Percent	Positive	UN
		15.4 By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development	45	Average proportion of mountain key biodiversity areas (KBAs) covered by protected areas	Percent	Positive	UN
		15.5. Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species	46	Red list index	Index	Positive	UN

in Appendix A.

3.3. Differentiation of Forward and Inverse Indicators

The next phase, after building the database of SDGs, was to determine the sign of each indicator. In the available literature, the indicator sign was described in different terms, such as “direct” or “inverse”, “positive” or “negative”, and “maximize” or “minimize”. In this study, we assigned the positive sign to the represented SDG indicator, meaning that the greater the value, the better the sustainable development performance. An indicator is expressed as negative when the performance is better when the value is lower (for example, emissions and resource consumption).

Regarding the moderate indicators, the meaning is that the SD performance is better when the data value is closer to a balanced value. This indicator is taken into consideration in the studies when the government suggests the optimal value that will be used in the normalization analysis.

3.4. Normalization

Every piece of information collected has a unique measurement and unit dimension. Therefore, the selected indicators need to be normalized. The normalization step converts all data into a comparable basis by removing various measurement units, allowing later aggregation into a single index. For this step, we adopt the min–max normalization method widely used in other composite indicators. Equation (1) is used for the positive indicator and Equation (2) for the negative indicator.

$${\mathrm{N}}_{\mathrm{iM}}=\frac{{\mathrm{X}}_{\mathrm{iM}}-{\mathrm{X}}_{\mathrm{iM}}^{\min }}{{\mathrm{X}}_{\mathrm{iM}}^{\max }-{\mathrm{X}}_{\mathrm{iM}}^{\min }}$$

(1)

$${\mathrm{N}}_{\mathrm{iM}}=\frac{{\mathrm{X}}_{\mathrm{i}}^{\max }-{\mathrm{X}}_{\mathrm{iM}}}{{\mathrm{X}}_{\mathrm{iM}}^{\max }-{\mathrm{X}}_{\mathrm{iM}}^{\min }}$$

(2)

where ${\mathrm{N}}_{\mathrm{i}}$ is the normalized value of the dataset, and ${\mathrm{X}}_{\mathrm{i}}$ is the indicator value. ${\mathrm{X}}^{\max }$ and ${\mathrm{X}}^{\min }$ are the max and min limits for the indicator i, respectively, while M refers to Morocco.

3.5. Weighting

Several methods associated with the composite index (CI) have been reviewed in the literature, such as equal and expert weightings, regression, and factor analysis. Focusing on weighting is important as it might impact the results of the composite indicators and, subsequently, the country’s performance and ranking. The current research work was conducted using the equal weighting technique for various reasons. First, the SDGs are not classified on a hierarchical ladder. Hence, equal weighting will be applied. Second, this will expose both the strengths and weaknesses of each dimension while suggesting key recommendations based on annual scores. Thus, we have attributed individual shares for the 13 SDGs, and then we divide the share of each dimension equally among its sub-indicators.

3.6. Morocco SDG Composite Index

The Morocco SDGs’ composite index aggregation is obtained by multiplying the normalized value Yi with the weightage value obtained in the previous step. The following equation was applied:

$$A_g=W_i \times N_i$$

(3)

where $N_i$ is the normalized indicators and $W_i$ the weightage value obtained in the previous step. Then, we summed up the scores of all the different annual goals in all three dimensions (social, economic, and environmental) and this is mathematically expressed in the following equations:

$$P_{social SDG}=A_{Goal1}^s+A_{Goal2}^s+A_{Goal3}^s+A_{Goal5}^s+A_{Goal10}^s$$

where $A_{Social SDGs}^s$ represents the score of the social SDGs in year s (s = 2001, 2002, …, 2018).

$$P_{economic SDG}=A_{Goal8}^s+A_{Goal9}^s+A_{Goal17}^s$$

where $A_{economic SDGs}^s$ illustrates the score of the economic SDGs in year s (s = 2001, 2002, …, 2018).

$$P_{environmental SDG}=A_{Goal6}^s+A_{Goal7}^s+A_{Goal12}^s+A_{Goal14}^s+A_{Goal15}^s$$

where $A_{enironmental SDGs}^s$ corresponds to the score of the environmental SDGs in year s (s = 2001, 2002, …, 2018).

$$Morocco SDG composite index=\mathsf{\Sigma } \left(P_{social SDG}+P_{environmental SDG}+P_{economic SDG}\right)$$

4. Results

The results of the present part were divided into two sections: in the first one, an overall performance of the three-dimensional SDGs achievement of the selected sample area (economic, social, and environmental) was conducted. Then, a separate performance analysis was carried out.

4.1. Evaluating Progress of Sustainable Development in Morocco

4.1.1. Morocco’s Overall Performance

The following results show that Morocco has significantly improved its SDG index score over time, as shown in Figure 3. The highest score of 69.6 was recorded in 2017, and the lowest score was 19.7 in 2002, with considerable progress between 2002 and 2006. In fact, the Moroccan SDG index score increased in the first 10 years by approximately 43.2%, from a score of 28.7 in 2001 to 50.5 in 2010. However, the following years have not shown the same progression. Thus, the SDG index score rose from 50.5 in 2010 to 67.2 in 2018.

As shown in Figure 4, environmental and social performance are the two dimensions that have a significant impact on improving the overall progress before 2003, knowing that environmental performance contributes the most, especially during the period 2004–2011. However, economic performance was much slower and was inconsistent during the analysis period. The overall progress is considerably impacted by this variation.

The scores of 11 SDGs experienced (Figure 5) fluctuations; a significant decrease was registered in 2002 and then a slow improvement in their aspects from 2003 to 2018. The highest improvement was recorded in SDG 5 (achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls), followed by SDGs 12, 6, 3, 14, 1, 2, 10, 15, 17, 7, and 8, respectively, while the lowest improvement was recorded in SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure).

4.1.2. Environmental Performance

Morocco’s environmental performance has been enhanced since 2003. The highest growth degree was reported in 2004 with 60.3%, while the lowest growth rate was 1.2% in 2017. It is obvious that the improvement rate has been impacted by population growth, but the country has succeeded in accelerating the implementation rate of environmental measures through the implementation of sustainable development strategies. As shown in Figure 6, the elements we included for Morocco’s environmental performance vary. It is worth noting that SDG 12 (ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns), SDG 6 (ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all), and SDG 7 (ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all) have been continuously improved over the years. However, particularly, SDG 14 (conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development) and SDG 15 (protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss) dropped before 2013 but afterward showed significant progress. Furthermore, SDG 12 (responsible for consumption and production) is the main factor contributing the most to environmental progress between 2001 and 2018. Its highest score was recorded in 2015 with 6.8% (the peak registered) and the lowest one was 0.5% detected in 2002 (the bottom).

As shown in Figure 7a, the sub-indicators affecting SDG 6′s enhancing score are the proportion of the population with access to safe drinking-water services, the proportion of the population practicing open defecation, and lakes and rivers’ permanent water areas, which have increased over the years. In contrast, the sub-indicator “Total official development assistance (gross disbursement) for water supply and sanitation” negatively impacted the SDG 6 score, which dropped throughout the analysis period from 0.9 in 2001 to 0.5 in 2018. During the entire analysis period, SDG 7 (Figure 7b) showed the lowest progress rate of 17% in environmental performance. Impacted by the regression of the “Energy intensity level of primary energy”, “Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption” and the fluctuation of “International financial flows to developing countries in support of clean energy research, development and renewable energy production, including in hybrid systems” over the years, a significant progress rate of more than 90% was seen for SDG 12 (Figure 7c), with small declines from 2003 to 2006 and 2011 to 2012 as well. The sub-indicator “Installed renewable electricity-generating capacity (watts per capita)” rapidly increased starting from 2012. For SDG 14, Figure 7d shows a significant improvement in the goal from 2001 to 2006, and then it tends to fluctuate until the end of the analysis period (2018). The goal (SDG 14) presented a 1.5 starting score, then 7.7 in 2010, which might be explained by the regression of the sub-indicator “Chlorophyll-a deviations, remote sensing (%)”. SDG 15 (Figure 7e) results demonstrate that the goal first experienced a decline from 2.6 in 2001 to 2.3 in 2003, after which it displayed an improvement of almost 66.7% (from 2003 to 2005). In fact, the sub-indicators “Average proportion of Freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas” and “Average proportion of Mountain Key Biodiversity Areas” have positively impacted the SDG 15 enhancing power, while the sub-indicator “Red List Index” negatively affected the SDG 15 score.

4.1.3. Economic Performance

From 2001 to 2018, Morocco’s economic SDG performance showed a fluctuating trend (Figure 8). Morocco’s SDG score suffered from this performance variability during the whole analysis period, with eight drops over the 17 years.

In view of the sub-indicators of the secondary indicators of SDG 8 (promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all) and SDG 9 (build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation), they generated considerable regression in Morocco’s economic SDG performance. The SDG 8 score for economic and decent work is erratic and exhibits some fluctuations. The target revealed the greatest score of 7.1, registered in 2006, and the lowest score of 0.7, registered in 2002. This result may be explained by the enormous unstable variations identified in the annual growth rate of real GDP over the entire analysis period, with eight considerable drops (Figure 9a). The downtrend of the SDG 9 from 2004 to 2012 was mainly due to the two sub-indicators “Manufacturing value added” and “The carbon dioxide emissions from fuel combustion”. In 2012, the sub-indicator “Proportion of medium and high-tech manufacturing value added in the total value added” impacted SDG 9, where the score declined significantly from 3.3 in 2011 to 1.3 in 2012 (Figure 9b); then, the score was slightly improved from 2012 to 2016 before declining again in 2017. SDG 17′s score was enhanced over the analysis duration: from 3.8 to 4.7 from 2001 to 2018 (Figure 9c).

4.1.4. Social Performance

Based on the current study, Morocco has significantly improved its social SDG performance. As shown in Figure 10, the score increased from 5 in 2001 to 27.7 in 2018. The total included goals (SGD 1, SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 5, and SDG 10) relatively participated in improving Morocco’s social performance. SDG 1 (no poverty) dropped at the start of the analysis period (1.9 to 0.3), then improved steadily. As shown in Figure 11a, three of four sub-indicators, “Employed population below the international poverty line, by sex and age (+15 years) (%), Proportion of population using basic drinking water services, by location (%), Proportion of population using basic sanitation services, by location (%)”, have been improved regularly, improving the SDG 1 score. The fourth sub-indicator, “Official development assistance for poverty reduction, by recipient country”, exerted a negative impact on the overall score, with a decreasing rate from 1.9 in 2001 to 0.1 in 2018. SDG 2 (zero hunger) showed a slow continuous improvement since 2001. The sub-indicators “Prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age” and “Prevalence of wasting children” decreased the score from 1 and 1.3 in 2001 to 0.9 and 0.5 in 2018, respectively (Figure 11b). The SDG 3 score presented a continuous uptrend throughout the whole analysis period. The sub-indicators “Infant mortality rate”, “Neonatal mortality rate”, and “number of new HIV infections per 1000 uninfected population” have all been steadily improving, with only a minor impact on the overall score.

“Tuberculosis incidence” showed a fluctuating variance during the analysis (Figure 11c). Ultimately, the secondary indicator, “Proportion of the target population with access to 3 doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) (%)”, negatively impacted Morocco’s SDG 3 progress as it decreased over time from 2008. The gender-equality SDG 5 started the analysis (2001) with a low score before showing a continuous enhancement; the score increased in 2003 and stayed relatively important but has been followed by a slight decline in 2008. The SDG 5 score was improved again in 2012 and 2017 (Figure 11d). SDG 10 was improved constantly from 2001 to 2018. The sub-indicators have been changed, namely the “Number of refugees per 100,000 populations, by country of origin”, which impacted the goal 10 score from 2001 to 2010 and from 2017 to 2018. From 2010 to 2016, the sub-indicator “Total assistance for development, by recipient countries” had an immense influence on the overall score. In general, Morocco’s SDG 10 score has experienced periods of increase: 0.1 to 4.0 from 2001 to 2006, respectively; 2.8 in 2009 to 4.1 in 2011, and 3.7 in 2012 to 4.6 in 2013. Meanwhile, the score had significant decreasing periods when it dropped from 4.6 in 2007 to 2.8 in 2009 and from 4.6 in 2013 to 2.2 in 2013 (Figure 11e).

5. The Sensitivity Analysis of Morocco’s SDG Index

A crucial phase for evaluating the quality and robustness of any composite index is the sensitivity analysis. In fact, at this stage, the composite builder can check, to a large extent, if the findings behind his outcomes can be applied and validated for making decisions based on the predefined objectives of his index [33]. Due to the subjective nature of composite indices, sensitivity analysis becomes a key element for alleviating the effects of some intrinsic assumptions used during the different stages of building these indices (selection, normalization, weighting, and aggregation, among others). In our case, we have considered 26 scenarios in total divided equally between the min–max normalization/additive aggregation and proportionate normalization/geometric aggregation. Since we have 13 goals in total, we have changed the weight for each goal, making one goal the most important each time to check its contribution to the final score and the annual trend of the index over the studied period (

Table 2. The suggested weights of the different goals in 13 scenarios.

	Goal 1	Goal 2	Goal 3	Goal 5	Goal 6	Goal 7	Goal 8	Goal 9	Goal 10	Goal 12	Goal 14	Goal 15	Goal 17
S1	10	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5
S2	7.5	10	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5
S3	7.5	7.5	10	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5
S4	7.5	7.5	7.5	10	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5
S5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	10	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5
S6	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	10	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5
S7	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	10	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5
S8	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	10	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5
S9	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	10	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5
S10	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	10	7.5	7.5	7.5
S11	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	10	7.5	7.5
S12	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	10	7.5
S13	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.5	10

).

As a general overview, it seems that the global trend in both cases remains valid for each year even if we change the normalization, weighting, and aggregation techniques. In fact, the table above shows that although the value between both assumptions can vary, the same variation is recorded for each year at quite an equal rate. This conclusion confirmed that our initial assumptions were strong enough to maintain a robust composite index that is not affected by the variation of building techniques. Furthermore, to assess the dependence between different scenarios, we opt for the use of the Pearson correlation ratio. Generally, the r-value could categorize the correlation into five different groups:

-

Perfect: the coefficient is near ±1.

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High degree: the coefficient value lies between ±0.50 and ±1.

-

Moderate degree: the coefficient lies between ±0.30 and ±0.49.

-

Low degree: the coefficient lies below +0.29.

-

No correlation: the coefficient is zero.

Based on the results below, the correlation seems to be of a high degree, which implies that there is a high dependence between different scenarios and any change in one scenario will generate a similar impact on the others to a slightly equivalent extent.

6. Discussion

Despite Morocco’s commitment and progress in implementing the SD Goals, the country must focus on the goals that lag behind the others through different strategies. However, it might be difficult for a country to optimize all goals simultaneously as the progress toward each objective differs, as well as the complexity that exists between them. Although acknowledging the strategies Morocco implemented to improve its sustainable development ranking, the country still needs more efforts as it is standing behind other countries in the global and regional rankings. Within the African continent, the Mauritius islands have replaced Morocco at the top of the rankings for overall performance [34].

6.1. The Performance of Environmental Progress Has Gained Impressive Achievements

During the years 2001–2018, Morocco’s environmental development has shown impressive improvement, especially in the infrastructure aspect. Morocco invested MAD 64.2 billion between 1995 and 2017 to improve access to water in rural areas (97%), urban areas (100%), and sanitation throughout the country [35]. Morocco has USD 33.8 million for the period of 2014–2015 to widen/extend electricity access in the country. This could explain the increase in the proportion of the rural population with access to electricity from 97.8% in 2016 to 99.78% in 2020 [36]. The country’s commitment to renewable energy could be demonstrated by the projects set up, such as the solar station “Nour”. With a total investment of USD 9 billion, the solar station will help provide 52% of the kingdom’s energy needs by 2030. Moreover, Morocco has implemented a set of programs to integrate sustainability into port management through the adoption of the international convention MARPOL to reduce the pollution caused by ships with an MAD 200 million investment. Additionally, Morocco has strengthened its legal framework to protect fishery resources in an effective manner and has banned the use of gillnets [37]. To preserve the national environment from desertification and wildfires, the national strategy “Morocco forests 2020–2030” is targeting the protection of the national forests. However, Morocco is still struggling with the extinction of some endangered species of wild fauna and flora. Hence, the government has strengthened its legal arsenal (Law No. 29-05) and adopted the international convention concerning the trade of endangered species (CITIES) (Food and Agriculture Organization, s.d.)(Food and Agriculture Organization, s.d.). Moreover, within the framework of international cooperation, financing mobilized amounts of nearly USD 200 billion over the past two decades. Morocco intends to mobilize USD 25 billion by 2030 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to fight against climate change [36].

Morocco falls one spot to eighth but remains in the top 10 of the year 2022 [38] and among the high-performing countries. Morocco continues to be ranked highly in the majority of categories, including GHG emissions, energy use, and climate policy. The country’s renewable energy trend is highly rated; nevertheless, the very low rating in the share of renewable energy in energy use and the low-rated 2030 targets are responsible for an overall medium rating in this category. As for pollution rates, Morocco is ranked 54th globally [39]. These encouraging achievements and rankings in environmental performance validate the outcome of the analysis conducted in this research, as the graph has shown a consistent improvement.

6.2. The Performance of Economic Growth Showed a Downward Trend

Economic growth fluctuated from 2001 to 2018, according to the data. The sector’s recent turmoil may provide an explanation for this. The local economy has been impacted by price increases, inflation, and the economic crisis. The 10% reduction in money transfers to Morocco could serve as a sign of the consequences (approximately MAD 5 billion). The trade deficit reached MAD 80 billion in the first months of 2008 [40]; as a consequence, the economy in Morocco remains dependent on the international and local context and hazards as it restrains the sector’s growth [41]. Morocco has deployed efforts to enhance its economic performance through different programs such as the National Pact for Industrial Emergence and the Integrated Business Support [37]. The mentioned projects aim to strengthen the competitiveness of the economy. In Morocco, the share of the industrial sector in the overall GDP remained almost steady between 2016 and 2018 at 15.7%, while the manufacturing value added per capita increased, respectively, from 4606 MAD/inhabitant to 4933 MAD/hab. Furthermore, the country has encouraged programs promoting sustainable industry through the Industrial Acceleration Plan 2014–2020 (PAI), attempting to create 54 industrial ecosystems in different sectors. Very small, small, and medium-sized enterprises (TPME) represent 93% of all businesses in Morocco; 64% are VSEs and 29% are SMEs26. They are playing a crucial role in job creation, and their participation in the creation of industrial added value attained 4% of national GDP in 2014 [42]. In regard to financing SDG achievements, the proportion of public revenue in GDP stabilized around 21% between 2015 and 2018, before rising to 22% in 2019. In addition, net foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into Morocco fell at the end of 2018 compared to the previous year, reaching an overall value of USD 3.5 billion. Concerning internet use among Moroccans, the number of users increased from 58.3% to 64.8% between 2016 and 2018, which allows the country to be above the world average by nearly six points (58.8% of the world population is online) [43].

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s 2020 Global Innovation Index, Morocco is ranked 75th out of 131 countries. Morocco has consolidated its position as one of the most innovative countries in Africa, ranking fourth behind Mauritius (52nd), South Africa (60th), and Tunisia (65th). The proportion of medium and high-tech industries’ value added remained stable between 2012 and 2017, at around 27–28 percent of total added value [34]. The Arab Monetary Fund has ranked Morocco in the fourth place after the UAE, KSA, and Qatar in economic competitiveness. The same report indicated that the country is ranked third for investor protection, second when it comes to administrative economy procedures, and eighth for fiscal advantages. Furthermore, internet infrastructure ranked Morocco as the eighth in the Arab region. Despite these remarkable achievements, the local economy has not progressed during the analysis period.

6.3. The Performance of the Social Environment Showed a Growing Trend

The social environment’s performance has shown an improving growth trend over time. Morocco has succeeded in mitigating poverty and achieving significant advances in the human development field via the National Initiative for Human Development with a MAD 18 billion budget. This initiative was ranked by the World Bank as the third best social project [44]. Along with improving the social SDGs, the Moroccan government has established new measures to improve nutrition without changing eating habits. “GAIN” is one of the projects that has been set up in accordance with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition with a dedicated budget of USD 2.92 million. On one hand, the country has fortified the products widely consumed by the Moroccan population [33]. On the other hand, it has put in place strategies to eradicate hunger among the population through different reforms and programs, such as the “Morocco Country Strategic Plan”, which aims to enhance access to food through long-term food security and sustainable agriculture (World Food Program). Aware of the importance of the population’s health, the Moroccan government has increased the budget of the Ministry of Health to MAD 19.77 billion in 2021, compared to MAD 13.1 billion in 2015. The government has adopted both national and global strategies aiming to improve the health and well-being of women, newborns, children, and all adolescents. The National Integrated Child Health Policy (PNISE) is the pillar to accelerate the reduction in the deficiencies observed in the health sector through the reduction of 27% in the mortality rate among children aged less than 5 years old [45]. The adoption of an action plan for the attentive care of young children that involves all sectors and where the health sector plays a mobilizing and unifying role in 2018 represented a turning point for the early childhood movement [46]. In regard to gender equality, Morocco has made huge advancements in women’s rights in the country. The 2011 constitution has revolutionized the presence of women in various government positions. “ICRAM 1” is one of the governmental plans that aims to reduce the inequality and discrimination in different aspects among the population, with MAD 450 million as the allocated budget [47]. To reduce the inequality within the country, Morocco is integrating immigrants and refugees (women, children, and adults) into refugee training centers. The country has allocated MAD 70 million to implement the national strategic health plan and a free legal assistance program for migrants and refugees. In fact, 23,758 migrants have already benefited from the program in 2019 [48].

Morocco ranks 69th for basic human needs, 102nd for nutrition and basic medical care, 81st for water and sanitation, 88th for protection, and 66th for personal safety. The Moroccan Kingdom is ranked 116^th in terms of the foundations of well-being. Compared to the border countries, Morocco is ranked in third place, behind Tunisia (55th) and Algeria (83rd), followed by its southern neighbor Mauritania (143rd) [34]. Despite the deployed efforts and the ongoing programs, Morocco still lags behind other countries, ranking 43rd globally [49]. The progress toward gender equality appears to have had an uptrend over the past decade. Morocco ranks 143rd out of 153 countries with a score of 0.605 [50]. The country’s position in the WEF index fell 15 places compared to in the 2011 report. From the results of these indices, it seems that women do not benefit from gender-neutral laws and that efforts to promote gender equality between women and men are running out of steam, particularly in the areas of the emancipation of women in politics, their participation in economic activities, and the economic prospects open to them. In 2022, Morocco is still ranked behind Tunisia (120th) and ahead of Algeria (140th) [50]. The rankings and the achievements above clearly explain and justify the results of the conducted analysis, as the social performance impressively improved throughout the analysis period.

7. Conclusions

This paper focused on assessing the SD progress in Morocco from 2001 to 2018 by covering three dimensions: social, economic, and environmental. The assessment included 13 out of 17 SDGs with 46 indicators. Four SDGs were not assessed because of missing data. Based on the evaluation, Morocco’s overall performance has improved throughout the analysis period. In terms of the three dimensions of the country’s SD, the environment’s performance had significantly progressed since the analysis began. The social performance improved, as well, but it still needs some improvement to keep the uptrend momentum. However, economic performance was the worst as it regressed in 2018 compared to 2001, and it is in crucial need of improvement.

It is recommended that the Moroccan government enhance the sustainable assessment system with solid databases for a wider assessment in the future. To maintain the environmental SD improvement by switching to green energy sources as they are local and more sustainable, the government could encourage stakeholders to produce green products and to adopt green waste-management practices. Moreover, Morocco could also reinforce the legal arsenal and raise the population’s awareness through organizing campaigns. A sustainable environment is the source of all life’s necessities. It also provides the basics of economic progress.

For the social SD, the country could keep up the growing pace by putting society at the core of strategies before implementing them. Social equity must be the main focus of the government, as everyone must have equal access to the same chances and opportunities. Social equity means being able to access and participate in society and having an impactful voice in their daily lives. Education, one of the greatest examples of social SD, provides citizens with chances for individual growth and progress.

Social sustainability must be included in education as it allows people to enhance their knowledge of their community and sustainability. Hence, it will make them more sustainably conscious. The kingdom could also improve its performance in terms of gender equality by emphasizing the presence of women in positions of leadership with equal rights in their daily lives. The healthcare system should be improved to be available to everyone regardless of income. Poverty could be reduced by implementing strategies that could create better living environments for citizens, such as by creating new jobs. For economic performance, the study’s outcome indicates that Morocco should pay particular attention to strengthening the country’s economic sector as it is still vulnerable to the global crisis. The agriculture sector should be protected from natural hazards as it still constitutes one of the most important economic sectors in the country. Morocco could attract more international investors and funds by making investment policies more attractive via modernizing the existing infrastructure and simplifying bureaucracy and procedures.

The time-series data collected in the current investigation are limited by their unavailability; this might result in an elimination of the sub-indicators and, therefore, the exclusion of the goal. For this reason, 13 of the 17 goals and 46 related indicators were assessed in this paper. The assessment of SDG 5 was based on only one sub-indicator. Hence, it is suggested that the Moroccan government provide more data on the different dimensions and scales for a more comprehensive and efficient SDG evaluation. The analysis period was impacted as well by the missing data, as it has been reduced to 17 years (2001 to 2018). This paper has recognized that all indicators have the same weight by giving each one of them an equal weight. However, public or expert opinions must be collected to optimize the weighting methods.

The current study could be used as a framework for future SDG progress assessments by adapting it to the national contexts of other countries. The study timeline could be expanded to assess the impact of recent events, such as the post-COVID-19 effect, on the SDGs’ progress. The constructed framework will serve as a tool to help policy makers and stakeholders to evaluate the strategies implemented and to understand their strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities. Further corrective actions could be applied if necessary. However, researchers must pay attention to the selection of indicators and to the construction of the composite index as they are crucial for appropriate results and interpretations.