Sustainable development is a multi-dimensional concept, which emphasizes integration and striking a dynamic balance between economic, social and environmental aspects in a region, to ensure inter-generational and intra-generational equity. One of the major tools to address sustainability concerns is to have indices, which can measure the performance of a region on various dimensions of sustainable development. The review suggests there are various indices that are available at the global scale that compare different countries on different aspects of sustainability; however, a limited number of studies have been reported at regional scale. Further, the paper appraises about the various approaches and frameworks used to develop these Sustainable Development Indices (SDIs). The merits and demerits of these approaches and frameworks have been discussed. The review finds that top-down approaches have been generally employed for construction of SDIs. However, bottom-up approaches which are rarely used, also need to be developed in order to construct robust, contextual and consensus based SDIs. The review shows that composite SDIs are the most common form of framework used across the globe. Most studies have been found to use 30–60 indicators for development of SDIs. The key steps to be followed for construction of Composite Sustainable Development Indices (CSDIs) have been reviewed in detail. The review finds variable processes and steps followed by different studies for development of SDIs. Based on the review, research gaps have been identified and recommendations on steps to be followed in construction of new CSDI have been provided. The review also reveals that most studies have focused on assessment of current state of sustainable development, a limited number where the trends have been studies; no study related to the future projections/predictions of the SDI has been reported in the literature.

可持续发展是一个多层面的概念，它强调整合并在一个地区的经济，社会和环境方面实现动态平衡，以确保代际和代际公平。解决可持续性问题的主要工具之一是拥有指数，这些指数可以衡量一个地区在可持续发展的各个方面的表现。审查表明，全球范围内有各种指数可以比较不同国家在可持续性方面的差异。但是，在区域范围内报道的研究数量有限。此外，本文评估了用于开发这些可持续发展指数（SDI）的各种方法和框架。已经讨论了这些方法和框架的优缺点。审查发现，自上而下的方法通常用于构建SDI。但是，还需要开发很少使用的自下而上的方法，以构建健壮的，基于上下文和共识的SDI。审查表明，复合SDI是全球使用最普遍的框架形式。已经发现大多数研究使用30–60个指标来开发SDI。详细审查了综合可持续发展指数（CSDI）的构建要遵循的关键步骤。审查发现了可变的过程和步骤，随后针对SDI的开发进行了不同的研究。根据评论，查明了研究空白，并提出了有关建设新的CSDI的步骤的建议。审查还表明，大多数研究都集中在评估可持续发展的现状上，而对趋势进行研究的数量有限；尚未有文献报道与SDI的未来预测有关的研究。