Save 4.2 Million Lives and Generate $1.1 Trillion in Economic Benefits for only $41 Billion: Introduction to the Special Issue on the Most Efficient Policies for the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are ambitious but in deep trouble. Benefit-cost analysis can help. This Special Issue highlights 12 of the most efficient interventions to speed up progress on the SDGs with Benefit-Cost Ratios (BCRs) above 15. The approaches cover tuberculosis, education, maternal and newborn health, agricultural R&D, malaria, e-procurement, nutrition, land tenure security, chronic diseases, trade, child immunization, and skilled migration. Spanning 2023-2030, these policy approaches are estimated to cost an annual average of $41 billion (of which $6 billion is non-financial). They will realistically deliver $2.1 trillion in annual benefits, consisting of $1.1 trillion in economic benefits and 4.2 million lives saved. The pooled benefit-cost ratio of all 12 investments is 52. By prioritizing these high-impact best buy interventions, decision-makers can enhance resource allocation and contribute most efficiently to the SDGs.