The first seven targets are outcome targets: Reduce income inequalities; promote universal social, economic and political inclusion; ensure equal opportunities and end discrimination; adopt fiscal and social policies that promotes equality; improved regulation of global financial markets and institutions; enhanced representation for developing countries in financial institutions; responsible and well-managed migration policies.

[2] Target 10.1 is to "sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average".

This goal, known as "shared prosperity", is complementing SDG 1, the eradication of extreme poverty, and it is relevant for all countries in the world.

The Gini coefficient is the most frequently used measurement of socioeconomic inequality as it can significantly show the income and wealth distribution within and among countries.

[12] A study in 2023 pointed out that the emergence of SDG 10 was partially related to the financial crisis (2007–2009) and its aftermath, which prompted calls for addressing extreme inequalities in outcomes and wealth concentration at the top of the income distribution.

[13] The same study found that in the agenda-setting phase, the World Bank significantly influenced the definition of SDG 10 during the negotiations.

SDG 10 covers issues including reducing income inequalities (10.1), promoting universal social, economic and political inclusion (10.2), ensure equal opportunities and end discrimination (10.3), adopt fiscal and social policies that promotes equality (10.4), improved regulation of global financial markets and institutions (10.5), enhanced representation for developing countries in financial institutions (10.6), responsible and well-managed migration policies (10.7), special and differential treatment for developing countries (10.a), encourage development assistance and investment in least developed countries (10.b) and reduced transaction costs for migrant remittances (10.c).

[2] The full title of Target 10.1 is: "By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average".

Income inequality is not strongly correlated with either poverty or affluence, suggesting that policies promoting equality and inclusivity have universal relevance.

Indicator 10.2.1 is the "Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, by sex, age and persons with disabilities".

[14] A UN progress report from 2020 stated that: "The global labour income share has shown a downward trend since 2004, when it stood at 54 percent, implying that workers are receiving a smaller proportion of the output they helped produce".

[14] These indicators measure the share of members and voting rights in international institutions which are held by developing countries.

In effect, the 2030 Agenda frames migration as a temporary and unplanned phenomenon that needs to be managed, rather than as an inherent and longstanding part of sustainable development and social transformation.

Insights from human migration science shows that migrants can in fact be a source of innovation, economic growth and cultural diversity.

The target of 3 percent was established as the cost that international migrant workers would pay to send money home (known as remittances).

Prepaid cards and mobile money companies charge 2 to 4 percent, but those services were not widely available as of 2017 in typical "remittance corridors".

[17] An annual report is prepared by the Secretary-General of the United Nations evaluating the progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.