ESG and Sustainability Indicators in Lower-Middle-Income Countries (2000–2024)

02 February 2026, Version 1
This content is an early or alternative research output and has not been peer-reviewed by Cambridge University Press at the time of posting.

Abstract

This dataset provides a comprehensive view of Environmental, Social, and Economic (ESG) indicators for countries classified as lower-middle-income by the World Bank from 2000 to 2024. Environmental indicators include renewable electricity output (% of total electricity) and forest area (% of land area), reflecting progress toward sustainable energy use and natural resource conservation. Social indicators capture life expectancy at birth, adult literacy rates, and the ratio of female to male labor force participation, providing insights into human development, education, and gender equity. Economic indicators include GDP per capita (constant 2015 US$), poverty headcount ratio at $3.00 a day (2021 PPP), and unemployment rate, offering a quantitative measure of economic development and labor market conditions. The dataset is structured as a panel dataset with countries as rows and annual observations for each indicator, facilitating longitudinal and cross-country analysis. It is suitable for research, policy analysis, and ESG-related studies in emerging economies. By combining environmental, social, and economic dimensions, the dataset enables researchers and policymakers to assess sustainability trends, identify areas of improvement, and track progress toward development goals in lower-middle-income countries.

Keywords

ESG
Sustainability
Lower-Middle-Income Countries
Renewable Energy
Forest Area
Life Expectancy
Literacy Rate
Gender Labor Participation
GDP per Capita
Poverty
Unemployment
Longitudinal Dataset

Supplementary weblinks

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