Classification of EU countries according to the degree of the sustainable development goals achievement related to agriculture

D.A. Tsenov Academy of Economics, Department of Agricultural Economics, 5250 Svishtov, 2 Em. Chakarov Str., Bulgaria

^* Corresponding author: r.nenova@uni-svishtov.bg

Abstract

The main goal of the study is to classify the 27 countries of the European Union (excluding the UK) according to their contribution to achieving the UN’s global goals for sustainable development related to agriculture. Five goals were selected: Goal 2: Zero hunger, Goal 3: Good health and well-being, Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production, Goal 14: Life below water and Goal 15: Life on land. The following criteria for distinguishing countries were used in the clustering: Goal achievement, Challenges remain, Significant challenges, Major challenges. To achieve this goal, from a methodological point of view, are applied: correlation analysis, cluster analysis, ANOVA analysis of variance and post hog test for multiple comparison - Tukey HSD. As a result of the analysis, with data from the Sustainable Development Report 2020, four clusters were identified. Bulgaria falls into the second cluster, along with Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland and Sweden. The main conclusion for countries in the second cluster is that there are significant challenges for Goal 2 and Goal 14, challenges remain for Goal 3 and Goal 15 and major challenges for Goal 12.