Bridging Gaps in Sustainability. Poland’s National SDGs Performance and the Role of Quality Education in the EU Context

Abstract

Sustainable development is one of the priorities of countries in the world through the integration of economic, social, environmental, and territorial goals. Whatever the case, the achievement of such goals is complex: energy transition and mitigation of climate change are two of the most important for developing countries. In 2023, the SDGs remain a milestone for international efforts. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is one of the major challenges of contemporary public policy. The aim of this article is to assess Poland’s progress in implementing all 17 SDGs and to examine the role that quality education (SDG 4) plays in this process. The article addresses a research gap concerning the insufficiently explored link between human capital and the successful implementation of SDGs in medium-sized European economies. The analysis uses statistical data from the years 2010–2023, based on 140 national SDG indicators and five EU educational indicators. The findings suggest that while Poland’s SDG trajectory is generally positive, targeted reforms in education and innovation policy are needed to unlock synergies across the SDG agenda. The article contributes to the academic discourse by offering a dual-level analytical framework and critically reflecting on methodological choices and data limitations.