The Environment pillar measures the sustainability of a country's economic performance given its natural resource endowment, management, its risk or resilience to climate change and other natural hazards. It pays particular attention to the internalization of environmental externalities created by economic activity. It also accounts for sustainable energy access and food security, crucial factors for stable long-term economic growth.

The Social pillar quantifies the sustainability of a country's economic performance with regard to its efficacy in meeting the basic needs of its population, reducing poverty, managing of social and equity issues and investing in human capital and productivity. This category also includes demographic criteria, pertinent to stable long-term economic growth.