This study examines the impact of governance indicators on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in South Asia from 2005 to 2024. Despite the region’s unique governance challenges, including political instability and corruption, the specific relationship between governance and SDG progress remains underexplored. Using a robust econometric framework, including linear models (IV-GMM, OLS, FE, RE and FGLS) and non-linear panel quantile regression, the analysis identifies how different aspects of governance affect SDG progress. Key findings indicate that political stability and rule of law positively influence SDG progress, while government effectiveness paradoxically has a negative impact. Control of corruption and regulatory quality show mixed effects, with stronger influence observed in higher-performing countries. These results suggest that governance reforms tailored to the specific challenges of South Asia—particularly in strengthening legal frameworks, anti-corruption efforts, and political stability—are crucial for sustainable development in the region. The study highlights the importance of context-specific policy interventions to improve governance and accelerate SDG progress. By addressing governance inefficiencies and adopting targeted reforms, South Asian countries can enhance their efforts toward achieving the SDGs and fostering long-term, inclusive growth.
Mamun et al. (Mon,) studied this question.