J 2026

Importance of Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4 in Relation to overall Sustainable Development

DRASTICHOVÁ, Magdaléna and Jiří FIŠER

Basic information

Original name

Importance of Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4 in Relation to overall Sustainable Development

Authors

DRASTICHOVÁ, Magdaléna and Jiří FIŠER

Edition

PROBLEMY EKOROZWOJU – PROBLEMS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, 2026, 1895-6912

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Article in a journal

Country of publisher

Poland

Confidentiality degree

is not subject to a state or trade secret

References:

URL

Impact factor

Impact factor: 1.100 in 2024

Organization unit

Moravian Business College Olomouc

DOI

https://doi.org/10.35784/preko.8418
Changed: 13/1/2026 11:15, Ing. Michaela Nováková

Abstract

In the original language

This study investigated the importance of Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4 for overall sustainable devel-opment. Hierarchical cluster analysis was applied to the healthcare systems of 31 European countries, including all EU member states as well as theUnited Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland. The analysis covers the years 2014 and 2019–2022 and is based on indicators of population health status (life expectancy, healthy life years, perceived health), tertiary educational attainment, preventableand treatable mortality, and healthcare ex-penditure.The results reveal a consistent division into two main clusters. Cluster 1 is composed primarily of Western and Northern European countries, along with high-performing non-EU states such as Switzerland, and is characterized by stronger health outcomes, higher education levels, and greater healthcare expenditure. Cluster 2 consists largely of Central and Eastern European member states, which systematically report weaker results across most indicators. In addition, smaller clusters (Clusters 3 and 4) emerge in specific years, grouping countries with distinctive pro-files. These include high-performing countries such as Ireland, Luxembourg, and Cyprus, as well as countries with relatively high educational attainment but lower health outcomes, such as Latvia and Lithuania.Comparison with established healthcare system classifications confirms the relevance of these patterns. The best-performing clusters overlap with advanced Bismarck and Beveridge systems, the high-capacity groups identified by Reibling et al. (2019), and the higher-expenditure groups of Di Gioacchino et al. (2024). Conversely, weaker clusters, particularly those in Central and Eastern Europe, align with Bismarck or mixed models, Etatist Social Health Insurance systems, or low-supply systems, and are typically associated with lower healthcare expenditure.Overall, the findings highlight persistent regional divides in healthcare performance.
Displayed: 15/1/2026 19:50