Behavioural Science and Nudge Interventions for SDG Acceleration

We're excited to share our latest UN working paper, "Behavioural Science and Nudge Interventions Database for SDG Acceleration," which was developed over recent months by Hsiang Jien Naik, Changu Maundeni, Austin G. Hamilton, and Aljaz Kuncic.

This paper offers a refreshed and expanded view of how behavioural science can support sustainable development. It presents a comprehensive, evidence-based resource designed to help countries integrate behavioural insights into their policies and programmes for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the heart of the paper is a global database of 201 behavioural and nudge interventions, each aligned with one or more of the 17 SDGs. You can explore the full database here:

Behavioural Science & Nudge Interventions Database

What's inside:

• A mapping of interventions from across the world
• Practical examples from Albania, Afghanistan, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Evidence suggesting that behavioural interventions can improve SDG indicator outcomes by an average of 45%
• A "high-impact filter" to help users identify the most powerful tools for change

This resource underscores the pivotal role of behavioural science within UN 2.0 and its potential to drive faster, more inclusive development progress. We hope it becomes a helpful tool for UN Country Teams, policy-makers, and development practitioners globally.

📄 Download the full working paper below in PDF (and please note the caveat that, as research work in progress, the views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United Nations).

We welcome you to share this with your colleagues and are happy to present the paper or the database in future discussions. Please don't hesitate to contact Austin Hamilton (austin.hamilton@un.org) for more details.