Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being in European Union Countries in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted many countries’ economic, social, and political systems. The health and well-being sector has been particularly affected, necessitating unprecedented measures from governments globally. These measures were designed to safeguard societies from the virus and ensure the availability of healthcare services for those in need. This article assesses the implementation of the third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)—good health and well-being—in European Union (EU-26) countries before and during the pandemic. The analysis aimed to answer two basic questions: (1) To what extent has the level of implementation of SDG 3 changed in individual EU-26 member states during the study period? and (2) During the analyzed period, has there been a reduction or deepening of disparities in the implementation of SDG 3 between the EU-26 countries? The study covers the years from 2019 to 2021, spanning the pre-pandemic period and its subsequent duration. The evaluation of the goal’s implementation was based on indicators monitored by Eurostat and employed the dynamic linear ordering method. The analysis revealed significant variations in SDG 3 implementation among the EU-26 countries. Over the analyzed years, The Netherlands and Sweden consistently occupied the top positions in the rankings, while Lithuania, Latvia, and Romania lagged. The pandemic adversely impacted the achievement of SDG 3, with a decline in the synthetic indicator value observed in 16 of the 26 EU countries. Comparing the first and second years of the pandemic, it was noted that negative changes were especially pronounced in 2021, with the synthetic variable value decreasing in 19 countries relative to 2020. The most significant declines in the synthetic variable value in 2021, compared to 2019, were recorded in Slovakia, Latvia, and Lithuania. In contrast, the greatest increases in the synthetic variable value, indicating notable progress in achieving SDG 3 despite the pandemic, were observed in Cyprus, Luxembourg, and Finland.