By the end of 2012, nations across the globe had completed three of the 21 targets listed under the UN’s eight development goals, according to a World Bank report, which monitors progress in meeting the MDGs.
The World Bank said it expects governments will meet the fourth target fully by 2015 - on eliminating gender disparity in primary and secondary education.
>> Read: World on track to meet 4 of 21 UN development targets
The four targets are listed below:
- Halving the number of people earning less than $1.25 per day;
- Halving the number without access to safe drinking water;
- Significantly improving the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers by 2020;
- Eliminating gender disparity in primary and secondary education by 2005 and at all levels of education no later than 2015.
But with fewer than 1,000 days remaining until the current set of MDGs expire, pressure groups want countries and global players such as the EU to make a greater effort to help more people escape poverty and improve their overall well-being.
Below is a graphical overview of where governments stand in meeting the 21 targets:
