Abstract. In this study, we present a comparative analysis of sustainable development among SAARC countries by ranking them using taxonomic methods and established indices from the World Bank, UNDP, and Social Progress Index (SPI) for the period 2015-2020. The primary objective was to assess whether taxonomic approaches, particularly the Hellwig and TOPSIS methods, offer a more nuanced ranking of development progress compared to other metrics. Through a rigorous application of multidimensional comparative analysis, we established a linear ordering of SAARC countries based on key economic, social, and health indicators. Our findings reveal significant disparities in sustainable development levels across SAARC countries, with overall consistency in rankings across methods. Minor year-to-year variations were observed in rankings based on taxonomic measures, HDI, and GNI per capita, while SPI rankings remained stable. This research contributes to a clearer understanding of regional development inequalities, providing a robust methodological framework that enhances the reliability and objectivity of cross-country comparisons in the SAARC region.

Keywords: economic development, comparative analysis, SAARC countries, taxonomic measure.