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Data Sources

Official sources and methodologies for SDG data

United Nations SDG Database
Primary data source for all statistics

All data displayed on this platform is sourced directly from the official United Nations Sustainable Development Goals API, which aggregates data from multiple UN agencies and international organizations.

API Endpoint:

https://unstats.un.org/sdgapi/v1/sdg

SDG 1: No Poverty - Data Sources

World Bank Poverty & Inequality Platform
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15 a day (2017 PPP)

Indicator: SI_POV_DAY1 - Proportion of population below international poverty line

The World Bank's Poverty & Inequality Platform provides the primary data for measuring extreme poverty worldwide. The international poverty line is set at $2.15 per day (2017 purchasing power parity), representing the minimum level needed to meet basic needs.

Methodology:

  • • Based on household consumption and income surveys
  • • Adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) across countries
  • • Updated periodically as new survey data becomes available
  • • Covers over 160 countries with varying frequency
World Bank PIP
World Bank Development Indicators
Additional poverty and economic metrics

The World Development Indicators database provides comprehensive economic and social statistics that complement poverty measurements, including GDP, income distribution, and social protection coverage.

WDI Database

SDG 2: Zero Hunger - Data Sources

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
Prevalence of undernourishment

Indicator: SN_ITK_DEFC - Prevalence of undernourishment (%)

The FAO measures the percentage of the population whose habitual food consumption is insufficient to provide the dietary energy levels required to maintain a normal, active, and healthy life.

Methodology:

  • • Based on food balance sheets and household surveys
  • • Accounts for dietary energy requirements by age and gender
  • • Reported as 3-year moving averages to smooth volatility
  • • Covers all countries with available food consumption data
FAO FAOSTAT
Additional Food Security Indicators
Complementary measures of hunger and nutrition

Other indicators tracked by FAO and partner organizations include:

  • • Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity (AG_PRD_FIESMS)
  • • Prevalence of stunting among children under 5
  • • Prevalence of wasting among children under 5
  • • Agricultural productivity and smallholder income

Data Quality & Limitations

Understanding the Data

Data Availability

Not all countries have data for all years. Data availability depends on when countries conduct household surveys and report to international organizations. Some countries may have gaps of several years between data points.

Estimates & Modeling

Some values are estimates or modeled data when direct measurements are unavailable. The data includes attributes indicating the nature of each value (country data, estimated, modeled, etc.).

Time Lags

There is typically a 1-3 year lag between data collection and publication due to the time required for survey processing, quality control, and international reporting.

Methodology Changes

The international poverty line and calculation methodologies are periodically updated (e.g., from $1.90/day in 2011 PPP to $2.15/day in 2017 PPP). Historical data is revised to maintain consistency.

Data Updates
How often is the data refreshed?

This platform fetches data in real-time from the UN SDG API, so any updates to the official database are immediately reflected. The UN typically updates SDG indicators:

  • Annually: Major data releases usually occur in July
  • Quarterly: Minor updates as new country data becomes available
  • Ad-hoc: Corrections and revisions as needed