ASEAN's efficiency scores in achieving the sustainable development goals

With limited government resources, achieving all 17 SDGs by 2030 is challenging, and it would be best to prioritize the implementation of the SDGs. This study applies the SBM model of DEA to compare ASEAN with closely interacting countries. Using DEA can identify the characteristics of efficient decision-making units (i.e., efficient countries), identify the relatively inefficient SDGs of ASEAN and the best practice peer countries, and determine the SDGs that need to be improved in the short term and the target countries to be emulated. This study further compares the efficiency of ASEAN and non-ASEAN countries, high-income countries, and other countries, before and after the outbreak of Covid-19, to gain more policy implications.With limited government resources, achieving all 17 SDGs by 2030 is challenging, and it would be best to prioritize the implementation of the SDGs. This study applies the SBM model of DEA to compare ASEAN with closely interacting countries. Using DEA can identify the characteristics of efficient decision-making units (i.e., efficient countries), identify the relatively inefficient SDGs of ASEAN and the best practice peer countries, and determine the SDGs that need to be improved in the short term and the target countries to be emulated. This study further compares the efficiency of ASEAN and non-ASEAN countries, high-income countries, and other countries, before and after the outbreak of Covid-19, to gain more policy implications.