Washington, DC — New OECD data released today shows global Official Development Assistance (ODA) fell by 23.1% in 2025 – the largest annual decline ever recorded, bringing aid investment back to 2015 levels.

Aid fell for a second consecutive year in 2025, after a 6% cut in 2024, and is projected to decline further by 2027.

Core bilateral development programming (excluding in-donor refugee costs, humanitarian aid and debt relief) fell 26.3% in 2025, also a record decline. Bilateral aid to Africa fell by 23.9%.

The figures – preliminary data on ODA investment by members of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) – highlight a troubling trend at a time of rising global challenges, underscoring the urgency for governments to strengthen partnerships and prioritize more effective, targeted investments.

Leaders from The ONE Campaign warn that continued cuts to international aid risk reversing hard-won progress, weakening global health and stability and undermining shared prosperity.

ONE Data’s interactive ODA dashboard enables customized data visualization and a more complete analysis of the data.

Today’s figures show:

• Total DAC ODA in 2025 was $174.3 billion (USD), representing 0.26% of combined Gross National Income
• ODA fell 23.1% in real terms from 2024 to 2025, the largest annual decline ever recorded, bringing aid investment back to 2015 levels. This was the second year of declining aid, following a 6% decline in 2024.
• 26 of the 34 DAC members cut ODA in 2025

• The five largest providers (US, Germany, UK, France, Japan) accounted for 95.7% of the total shortfall – the first year all five donors cut simultaneously.

• Core bilateral development programming fell 26.3% – also a record decline; these flows had increased 24.2% from 2019-2024

• Multilateral ODA fell 12.7% to $47.9 billion (USD)

• The OECD projects a further 5.8% decline in ODA in 2026, with ODA remaining 6.6% below 2025 levels through 2028

“As people around the world struggle with rising fuel and food prices, people who live in the poorest countries are the hardest hit. The largest cuts to Official Development Assistance in history have real human consequences for ordinary people; more hunger, more people dying from preventable diseases, and more instability,” said David McNair, Executive Director at ONE.

Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, ONE’s President & CEO, added, “At a moment of growing global instability, the answer is not retreat – it is stronger partnership. The choice is clear: commit to smarter investments, especially with African countries that are ready to lead, or risk failing the most vulnerable and undermining global security and shared prosperity.”

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About The ONE Campaign

ONE is a global, nonpartisan organization advocating for the investments needed to create economic opportunities and healthier lives in Africa. Since 2004, we have helped secure more than $1 trillion in new investments to build a safer, more prosperous world. Our trusted advocacy combines hard-hitting data, grassroots activism and political engagement to influence decision-makers and drive lasting change. Learn more at ONE.org. [translate as needed]

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