Sustainability Development: Social Implications in a Transitive Economy

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) readiness and priorities consensus from society’s perspective in relation to announcing governmental priorities, emphasising the importance of understanding community sentiments and awareness regarding SDGs. Design: The objectives of the research were achieved through a qualitative approach involving a survey conducted in Kuwait with 218 participants. A 19-item questionnaire was utilised to gauge SDG awareness, subjective sentiments, personal interests, and local consensus on priorities compared to government plans. Findings: The findings underscore the pivotal roles of government and private sectors as key stakeholders in sustainable development awareness, action and planning. They further conclude that there is substantial awareness of SDGs among the local population, with high civic engagement noted, particularly during elections. However, a significant gap was found between national priorities identified by the general public and those outlined in the New Kuwait Vision 2035 plan, with SDG 4 – Quality Education emerging as the top priority for local society. Implications: This research contributes to understanding societal readiness for SDGs by unravelling the complex interplay between awareness, sentiments, and interests. It highlights the importance of key stakeholders and their roles, offering insights for policy-makers aiming to implement evidence-based regulations and understand factors influencing sustainable actions and development. Limitations: Limitations of the research include the geographical focus on Kuwait and the sample size. Further research could explore SDG readiness in other regions and involve larger sample sizes for a more comprehensive understanding. Keywords: SDGs; Sustainability; Community Readiness; Sustainable Innovation; Social Behaviour; Kuwait. Citation: Diab-Bahman, R. and Marafie, D. (2025): Sustainability Development: Social Implications in a Transitive Economy. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development (WJSTSD), Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 245-261. WASD: London, United Kingdom.