Revisiting sustainable development goal indicator 13.1.1: limitations and pathways for improvement

Purpose This article critically analyses Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 13.1.1 – “Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population”. It examines some limitations of this indicator and suggests ways to strengthen its policy relevance and inclusivity. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on technical documents produced by the United Nations policy reports, and existing scholarship, the article critically reviews SDG Indicator 13.1.1, emphasising the conflicts and compromises in its development. It analyses its conceptual ambiguities, operational subjectivity and the limited representation of local and marginalised groups. Findings The analysis reveals ambiguities in key terms such as “disaster”, “death” and “disaster-affected persons”, which undermine consistency across national reporting and cross-country comparisons. Subjectivity in assessing the impacts of disasters and the absence of benchmarks for SDG Indicator 13.1.1 further complicate interpretation of this indicator. In addition, local communities, marginalised groups and grassroots initiatives remain under-represented in the design and implementation of this indicator, restricting its inclusivity and applicability. Research limitations/implications This article is one of the first critical analyses of SDG Indicator 13.1.1 itself. By highlighting the importance of local knowledge, methods and epistemologies, this article advances political and research agendas in disaster studies. It also proposes some actionable improvements for SDG Indicator 13.1.1, such as clarifying definitions, introducing interpretive guidance and amplifying local voices, in order to better align disaster monitoring with inclusiveness and resilience-building objectives, with strong attention to local communities and vulnerable groups. Originality/value This article is one of the first examination of SDG Indicator 13.1.1 itself. By highlighting the importance of local knowledge, methods and epistemologies, this article advances political and research agendas in disaster studies. It also proposes actionable improvements for SDG Indicator 13.1.1 such as clarifying definitions, introducing interpretive guidance and amplifying local voices, in order to better align disaster monitoring with inclusiveness and resilience-building objectives, with a strong attention to local communities and vulnerable groups.