Blue Pacific 2050 Dashboard

This 2050 Dashboard presents Forum Member data across the seven Thematic Areas of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific.

Data and visualisations in this dashboard supplement the 2024 Baseline Report to Leaders, delivered to the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting hosted by Tonga. Additional indicators from regional and global monitoring frameworks identified by the 2050 MEL Working Group are also presented to tell a richer story. New indicators are proposed for development in the region to address areas of the Strategy not well served by existing indicators, and these will be added over time as indicators are agreed and adopted by the Pacific.

Data presented is collated from a number of sources, including national household census and survey collections, civil registry data, health information systems, regional education assessments, satellite data, SDG custodian agencies and published reports from countries and development partners.

People Centred Development

Level of Ambition

All Pacific peoples continue to draw deep cultural and spiritual attachment to their land and the ocean, and all are assured safety, security, gender equality, and access to education, health, sport and other services so that no one is left behind.

Goals

G1
Improved health and well-being of all Pacific peoples
G2
Improved educational achievement of Pacific learners through quality, accessible, affordable, and inclusive education at all levels
G3
The Pacific region realises human rights, gender equality, equity, and social inclusion
G4
The Pacific's diverse cultures, traditions, spirituality, and languages are visible, valued, safeguarded, and inform all national and regional development actions

Outcomes

Some Outcomes currently do not have indicators. The regional MEL Working Group and Thematic Advisory Groups will be working on the monitoring framework and new indicators will be endorsed and added to this Dashboard over time.

Maternal mortality ratio

The 2030 target for maternal mortality is less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births. A number of countries have recorded no maternal deaths in recent years, shown as zero in the graph below. 

Under-five mortality rate
Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population
Tuberculosis incidence
Malaria incidence per 1,000 population at risk

Malaria has been eradicated in two sub-regions in the Pacific, but remains a health issue in Melanesia. Three countries (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu) continue to experience new cases of malaria.

Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease

These figures show the probability a 30-year-old person would die before their 70th birthday from cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease, assuming that s/he would experience current mortality rates at every age and s/he would not die from any other cause of death. 

Premature morbidity and mortality remains a leading health issue in the Pacific region.

Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water, unsafe sanitation and lack of hygiene

International Health Regulations (IHR) capacity

This indicator data is also available by IHR capacity and State Party Annual Report.

Multi-sectoral NCD taskforce

Scores should be interpreted as: 0 = N/A, 1 = Not present, 2 = Under development, 3 = Present, 4 = Present and low strength of implementation, 5 = Present with medium strength of implementation, 6 = Present with high strength of implementation.

National strategy addressing NCDs and risk factors

Scores should be interpreted as: 0 = N/A, 1 = Not present, 2 = Under development, 3 = Present, 4 = Present and low strength of implementation, 5 = Present with medium strength of implementation, 6 = Present with high strength of implementation.

National guidelines for care of main NCDs

Scores should be interpreted as: 0 = N/A, 1 = Not present, 2 = Under development, 3 = Present, 4 = Present and low strength of implementation, 5 = Present with medium strength of implementation, 6 = Present with high strength of implementation.

Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel

This indicator data is also available by urbanisation level (urban, rural).

Coverage of essential health services
Population using an improved drinking water source

This indicator data is also available by urbanisation level (urban, rural).

Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services

This indicator data is also available by urbanisation level (urban, rural).

Proportion of wastewater safely treated
Health worker density
Service coverage for mental health

According to estimates by the World Health Organisation, mental disorders account for approximately 14% of the global burden of disease, with the majority of affected people lacking access to treatment.

Progress has been made in the Pacific in addressing this issue. A variety of actions have been undertaken at regional level, including a Regional Mental Health Strategy, the Pacific Islands Mental Health Network, and the Mental Health GAP Action Programme. In 2011, the Ninth Meeting of Ministers of Health for the Pacific Island Countries resulted in the formal recognition of mental health as a matter of the highest priority. This has resulted in the implementation of specific policies and plans in several Pacific countries. The coverage of mental health services is a significant issue, given that, despite the prevalence of mental, neurological, and substance use disorders across all regions of the world, these conditions remain stigmatised. Mental health is also cross-cutting and linked to other factors such as NCDs, violence, or child/adolescent health. It has been demonstrated that this issue can be exacerbated by climate disasters or crises, for example the global pandemic of Covid-19.

This indicator is still under development.

Service coverage for mental health

Alcohol consumption per capita (aged 15 years and older) within a calendar year
Age-standardised prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged 15 years and older
Healthy food policies in schools

Scores should be interpreted as: 0 = N/A, 1 = Not present, 2 = Under development, 3 = Present, 4 = Present and low strength of implementation, 5 = Present with medium strength of implementation, 6 = Present with high strength of implementation.

Compulsory physical education in school curriculum

Scores should be interpreted as: 0 = N/A, 1 = Not present, 2 = Under development, 3 = Present, 4 = Present and low strength of implementation, 5 = Present with medium strength of implementation, 6 = Present with high strength of implementation.

Proportion of children and young people achieving a minimum proficiency level in reading and mathematics

The indicator data relates to the end of primary and is also available by sex, age and other education level.

Proportion of population in a given age group achieving at least a fixed level of proficiency in literacy and numeracy skills

The indicator data relates only to literacy skills for population aged 15-24 and is also available by sex and population aged 15 and over.

Trained teachers

This indicator data is also available by sex and other education level.

Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development, including gender equality and human rights, are mainstreamed at all levels in: (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

This indicator aims to measure whether all students are gaining the skills and knowledge needed to promote sustainable development, using a simple assessment of whether the basic infrastructure exists that would allow countries deliver quality Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Global Citizenship Education (GCED) to learners, to ensure their populations have adequate information on sustainable development. Appropriate education policies, curricula, teacher education, and student assessment are key aspects of national commitment and effort to implement GCED and ESD. 

UNESCO is the international organisation responsible for the measurement and monitoring of this indicator. Data is compiled from responses submitted by national governments, typically by Ministries of Education.

There is currently no Pacific data for this indicator.

People Centered Dev - 2.1 Extent to which global citizenship education and education and education for sustainable development

Completion rate, upper secondary
Proportion of youth not in education, employment or training, by sex and age

The indicator data relates to youth aged 15-24 and is also available by urbanisation level (urban, rural).

Adolescent birth rate (per 1,000 women aged 15-19 years)

The indicator data relates to women aged 15-19 years and is also available by age (10-14 years) and urbanisation level (urban, rural).

Proportion of schools with access to electricity
Proportion of schools with access to computers for pedagogical purposes
Proportion of schools with access to basic drinking water
Proportion of schools with basic handwashing facilities
Proportion of schools with access to the internet for pedagogical purposes
Proportion of schools with access to single-sex basic sanitation
Proportion of schools with access to adapted infrastructure and materials for students with disabilities
Participation rate in organised learning (one year before the official primary entry age)

This indicator data is also available by urbanisation level (urban, rural) and income level.

Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education

Proportion of population subjected to physical violence in the previous 12 months
Proportion of population subject to physical violence
Proportion of population subjected to robbery in the previous 12 months
Proportion of population subject to robbery
Proportion of population subjected to sexual violence in the previous 12 months

Sexual violence is defined as any sexual act committed without consent - including when consent cannot be given, such as in cases involving children, people with mental disabilities, or those who are severely intoxicated or unconscious. This violence is deeply gendered, with a disproportionate impact on girls and women.

In Pacific Island Countries and Territories, the rate of violence against women and girls is among the highest in the world, at approximately about twice the global average. According to the UNFPA, two in three Pacific women report physical or sexual violence by a partner in their lifetime. 

The reporting of sexual violence remains a significant challenge. It is important to note that survivors of violence are often rendered voiceless by a combination of factors, including shame, stigma, fear of reprisal, and/or past negative interactions with authorities. This compounded by the challenge of discussing their experiences and seeking help to break free from the cycle of violence. Consequently, the global estimates on the median reporting rate of sexual violence stands at a mere 17% (UNODC). The consequences of sexual violence are far-reaching, impacting individuals' physical and mental health, limiting their full participation in society, overloading health and legal systems, and reducing economic productivity.

There is currently limited country data for this indicator. In order to accurately capture the scale of this hidden crime, it is essential to collect data through population-based victimisation surveys rather than relying solely on administrative records.

People Centred Dev - 3.0 proportion of population subject to sexual violence2
Proportion of population subjected to psychological violence in the previous 12 months

The measurement of psychological violence remains challenging due to the absence of international consensus on a precise definition. Psychological violence may be defined as any intentional and reckless act that causes psychological distress to an individual.

Psychological violence can take various forms: coercion, defamation, humiliation, intimidation, credible threats of violence, excessive verbal attacks or bullying, or harassment. It is often marked by repeated behaviours that may co-occur with other forms of violence, though it can also occur as a single, distinct act. Digital technologies can facilitate and amplify psychological violence, giving rise to new forms such as online stalking or image-based abuse using artificial intelligence (deepfake videos).

Psychological violence is a common form of gender-based violence and often experienced within domestic contexts. The most recent regional snapshot (2024) of the kNOwVAWdata (UNFPA) reveals that between 9% and 54% of ever-partnered women in the Pacific countries have experiencing emotional abuse. 

There is currently limited country data for this indicator. In order to accurately capture the scale of this hidden crime, it is essential to collect data through population-based victimisation surveys rather than relying solely on administrative records.

Proportion of population subject to psychological violence

Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority

This indicator data is also available by sex, urbanisation level (urban, rural) and income level.

Legal frameworks that promote, enforce and monitor gender equality (percentage of achievement, 0 - 100) - Area 1: overarching legal frameworks and public life
Legal frameworks that promote, enforce and monitor gender equality (percentage of achievement, 0 - 100) - Area 2: violence against women
Legal frameworks that promote, enforce and monitor gender equality (percentage of achievement, 0 - 100) - Area 3: employment and economic benefits
Legal frameworks that promote, enforce and monitor gender equality (percentage of achievement, 0 - 100) - Area 4: marriage and family
Existence of implementation plan for the different UN Treaty Body recommendations and Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations which are fully or partially resourced

In 2024, only one Pacific country reported having National Human Rights Institutions fully compliant with the Paris Principles. A National Human Rights Institution is an independent administrative body set up by a State to promote and protect human rights. Core functions include complaint handling, human rights education and making recommendations on law reform. 

This Pacific proxy indicator is still under development.

Existence of implementation plan for the UN Treaty Body

Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods

This indicator data is also available by urbanisation level (urban, rural).

Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months

The indicator data relates to women aged 15-49 and is also available by form of violence and for women aged 15 and over.

Proportion of women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to sexual violence by persons other than an intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by age and place of occurrence

The indicator data relates to women and girls aged 15-49 and is also available for women and girls aged 15 and over.

Proportion of women in managerial positions
Proportion of women who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use and reproductive health care (% of women aged 15-49 years)
Proportion of countries where the legal framework (including customary law) guarantees women’s equal rights to land ownership and/or control
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments
Adolescent birth rate (per 1,000 women aged 15-19 years)

The indicator data relates to women aged 15-19 years and is also available by age (10-14 years) and urbanisation level (urban, rural).

Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work
Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work
Countries with a reproductive health policy, guidelines, and protocols for service delivery fully or partially resourced

Ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health care, as agreed in the Beijing Platform for Action, includes standards for the following four areas:

  • Maternity care
  • Contraception services
  • Sexuality education
  • HIV and HPV

Data is compiled by the United Nations Population Fund, in collaboration with UN Population Division, based on data submissions from national governments.

This indicator is a Pacific proxy for SDG 5.6:.2 Number of countries with laws and regulations that guarantee full and equal access to women and men aged 15 years and older to sexual and reproductive health care, information and education. Samoa is currently the only Pacific Island country reporting against this SDG (with a score of 22 %).

People Centered Dev - 3.2 Countries with a reproductive health policy

Proportion of population covered by at least one social protection benefit

This indicator data is also available by sex and age.

Proportion of the national budget allocated to culture, including for protection, preservation (heritage), and promotion

A number of new indicators will be added from The Pacific Culture Strategy 2022-2032 after consideration of national priorities, relevance to this Outcome and measurability. This strategy recognises the increased role of culture in sustainable development, "Our future is in our past", and highlights the inherent value of culture for the wellbeing of Pacific peoples and resilience building.

There is currently limited country data for this indicator. 

People Centered Dev - 4.1 Proportion of the national budget allocated to culture