The eight Millennium Development Goals comprise 21 targets and 60 indicators. Where possible, the targets are given as quantified, time-bound values for specific indicators. This section will discuss issues related to achieving the goals from two angles: the likelihood of countries reaching the goals and the cost of achieving the goals.

For a complete listing of the goals, targets, and indicators click here.

Achieving the MDGs by 2015 will require more focus on development outcomes and less on inputs, to effectively measure national progress towards meeting the MDGs, and to engage even more closely with our partners in helping governments improve human development. The goals establish yardsticks for measuring results, not just for developing countries but for rich countries that help to fund development programs and for the multilateral institutions that help countries implement them. The first seven goals are mutually reinforcing and are directed at reducing poverty in all its forms. The last goal - global partnership for development - is about the means to achieve the first seven. Many of the poorest countries will need additional assistance and must look to the rich countries to provide it. Countries that are poor and heavily indebted will need further help in reducing their debt burdens. And all countries will benefit if trade barriers are lowered, allowing a freer exchange of goods and services.

For the poorest countries many of the goals seem far out of reach. Even in better-off countries there may be regions or groups that lag behind. Countries need to set their own strategies and work, together with the global partners, to ensure that poor people are included in the benefits of development.

How many countries are likely to reach the Millennium Development Goals?
Much depends on whether the progress in the past decade can be sustained--or accelerated in countries falling behind. A set of charts show the prospects of low-and middle-income countries for reaching six of the targets of the Millennium Development Goals.

These assessments are based on performance. They are not final verdicts, but they are a warning. Too many countries are falling short of the goals or lack the data to monitor progress. Now is the time to take actions to accelerate progress, not 5 or 10 years from now.

What resources are needed to achieve the MDGs?
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set quantitative targets for poverty reduction and improvements in health, education, gender equality, the environmental and other aspects of human welfare. At existing rates of progress many countries will fall short of these goals. However, if developing countries take steps to improve their policies and increased financial resources are made available, significant additional progress towards the goals is possible.

To obtain an estimation of the cost to achieve the MDGs is not an easy exercise, not merely because many mutually interdependent factors come into play in determining such cost. Various efforts have been made, one by a team in the World Bank, to provide an estimated scale of additional resources required to achieve the goals. According to the study in "Goals for Development: History, Prospects and Costs" paper, $40-$70 billion additional assistance per year would be needed. The amount would roughly represent a doubling of official aid flows over 2001 levels. New cost estimates have recently been made by the Millennium project.

The most important factors in determining the cost of achieving the goals are country policies and the environment they create. Without sound policies and the ability to implement them effectively, additional assistance will not lead to faster progress. This is why the development effort to reach the MDGs is most effective when developing countries and the donors are both committed to effective development strategies. Besides increased financial assistance, there are other things rich countries can do to help developing countries achieve the goals. These are included in Goal 8--Develop a global partnership for development-- as targets to be met by the rich countries.