Composite index as a measure on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG-9) industry-related targets: The SDG-9 index.

• The paper introduces an index to measure the progress towards meeting the industry-related targets of the 2030 Agenda. • The SDG-9 index benchmarks industrial performance while preserving the environment and promoting inclusiveness. • The final ranking compares performance of 128 economies over the period 2000–2016. • Economic growth should be accompanied by technological changes and efficient use of natural resources. This article introduces the SDG-9 index as a measure of country progress towards achieving industry-related targets of Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG-9). The SDG-9 index represents a comprehensive but straightforward approach to assess the extent to which countries have industrialized while promoting social inclusiveness and minimizing natural resource use and environmental impacts. The selection of indicators is based on the global indicator framework for the Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. The resulting SDG-9 index benchmarks inclusive and sustainable industrial development in 128 economies over the period 2000–2016. In general, industrialized economies outperform other countries, with the top five leading the 2016 ranking being Ireland, Germany, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Japan. The calculated scores of the SDG-9 index can show in which dimensions countries represent the leaders or lag behind other economies. Thus, the SDG-9 index forms a valuable tool for policy makers and analysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]