Foreign aid contributions fell in 2025 amongst almost all of the top 10 donors
Foreign aid contributions from the world's richest countries fell by almost a quarter in 2025, amounting to a reduction of roughly US$50 billion. The top 10 donors, except Sweden and Italy, cut their aid. Several European countries, including the UK, France and Germany, slashed their overseas aid budgets in the past two years.
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- ✓ In 2025, foreign aid given by the world's richest countries fell by almost a quarter.
- ✓ The reduction in foreign aid amounted to roughly US$50 billion.
- ✓ Foreign aid contributions fell in 2025 amongst all of the top 10 donors except Sweden and Italy.
- ✓ Several European countries, including the UK, France and Germany, have slashed their overseas aid budgets in the past two years.
What changed
The extent of foreign aid cuts by top donors in 2025 is now better quantified, with a 25% reduction reported.
Live updates
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Foreign aid contributions fell in 2025 amongst almost all top 10 donors
Foreign aid contributions from the world's richest countries fell by almost a quarter in 2025, amounting to a reduction of roughly US$50 billion. The top 10 donors, except Sweden and Italy, cut their aid. Several European countries, including the UK, France and Germany, slashed their overseas aid budgets in the past two years.
Why it matters
The global pullback from foreign aid is significant as it may reset how development is done, particularly in Africa. This reduction in aid may have profound changes to the system, with concerns about going back to the 1980s. The decrease in aid comes as global food insecurity rises.
What is confirmed
- In 2025, foreign aid given by the world's richest countries fell by almost a quarter.
- The reduction in foreign aid amounted to roughly US$50 billion.
- Foreign aid contributions fell in 2025 amongst all of the top 10 donors except Sweden and Italy.
- Several European countries, including the UK, France and Germany, have slashed their overseas aid budgets in the past two years.
- US aid fell by 57% in 2025.
Still unconfirmed
- The UN World Food Programme faces a crisis amid US aid cuts.
What to watch next
- 2027 impact of UK foreign aid reset
- OECD's next report on global foreign aid trends
- Decisions on future aid allocations by top donors
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (14)
- Our World in Data — Foreign aid contributions fell in 2025 amongst almost all of the top 10 donors
- Business News Nigeria — Africa’s Funding Shock Could Reset How We Do Development. Are We Ready for What Comes Next?
- The World from PRX — The global pullback from foreign aid
- orfonline.org — International Development in a Post-Aid World
- EL PAÍS English — International cuts to development aid foreshadow profound changes to the system: ‘We are terrified of going back to the 1980s’
- ourworldindata.org — Foreign aid contributions fell in 2025 amongst almost all of ...
- www.byteseu.com — Foreign aid contributions fell in 2025 amongst all of the top ...
- theworld.org — The global pullback from foreign aid - The World from PRX
- www.databringer.net — 主要援助国10カ国のうち8カ国が2025年に支援縮小 世界全体で約500億ド...
- www.borgenmagazine.com — UK Foreign Aid Reset: A Technical Assistance Template
- londondaily.com — UN World Food Programme Faces Crisis Amid US Aid Cuts
- www.europesays.com — Foreign aid contributions fell in 2025 amongst all of the top ...
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