How is ODA from the EUI changing over time?

Total ODA from the EUI declined from US$21.7 billion in 2020 to US$20.0 billion in 2021, then grew for three consecutive years to US$28.3 billion in 2024. The largest year-on-year increase occurred between 2021 and 2022, when ODA rose by 26.5%.

The EU approach to ODA under the current MFF (2021-2027) focuses on maintaining stable support through instruments like the Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument-Global Europe. In the absence of new political commitments or budgetary adjustments before the next MFF, ODA is assumed to stabilize.

The European Commission proposal for the next MFF for the period 2028-2034 was released on July 17, 2025, proposing a significant increase in development funding with the Global Europe instrument set to receive EUR200 billion ( US$234.2 billion) up from the current EUR92.3 billion ( US$108.1 billion) allocation. The 75% boost aims to strengthen the EU external action and development finance, despite ongoing debates about prioritizing European interests. Experts have voiced concerns about the lack of a clear definition of what constitutes ODA, raising questions about transparency and accountability. Additionally, the flexible nature of the proposed budget means that funding levels may not be reliable or guaranteed for long-term development priorities.

As Member States go into negotiations on the future MFF, political attention could continue shifting towards internal EU priorities such as cohesion and agriculture. While there remains broad support for the EU global role, especially in migration management and support to Ukraine, international funding lines are likely to face some consolidation. The international budget allocation presented in the draft MFF (2028-2034) could therefore be revised downwards. The final budget, part of the 2028-2034 MFF, should be decided in December 2027.