The present report on the Millennium Development Goals in the Syrian Arab Republic, was prepared by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in 2013 (two years before the 2015 deadline for achieving the Goals), amid serious international discussions on the post-2015 development agenda.

The Syrian Arab Republic has been experiencing severe unrest since 2011, which has affected its citizens and all aspects of economic and social development. Therefore, questions on realizing the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 are now redundant, although the country would have achieved this objective had the crisis been averted. The vast majority of development accomplishments have been lost and the situation will deteriorate further if the conflict continues.

The present report draws upon data from the Syrian Central Bureau of Statistics, information from a number of relevant ministries and international bodies, and various model estimates. It also builds on results from a series of meetings and workshops held within the framework of the National Agenda for the Future of Syria, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). Syrian experts from various sectors participated in these meetings and exchanged views on the country’s development and future prospects.