ODA Spending

How much ODA does Spain allocate to global health?

How is Spanish global health ODA changing?

Spain’s health ODA decreased by 37% in 2023. The larger contributions to health in 2020 and 2021 were largely driven by the additional funding dedicated to COVID-19 response.

How does Spain allocate global health ODA?

Bilateral Spending

Spain channeled 30% of health ODA bilaterally in 2023, including 6% as earmarked funding through multilaterals.

Multilateral Spending and Commitments

In 2023, Spain channeled 70% of health ODA through multilaterals. The largest share of total health ODA is channeled through the EC, followed by the Global Fund, and the World Bank’s IDA.

In September 2022, at UNGA77, Sánchez announced that Spain would disburse up to EUR237 million ( US$250 million) from 2023-2026 to foster global health initiatives, including a EUR130 million ( US$137 million) pledge to the Global Fund and other instruments related to pandemic preparedness and global health R&D.

Global health R&D is also important to addressing many of the global health challenges that disproportionately affect the world’s most disadvantaged people. For more information on how donor countries are supporting global health R&D across three main areas — 1) EIDs; 2) PRNDs; and 3) SRH — read the excellent G-Finder reports and explore the interactive data portal created by Policy Cures Research. Not all funding mentioned in these analyses qualifies as ODA.

Funding and Policy Outlook

What is the current government's outlook on global health ODA?

On May 28, 2025, the Government of Spain launched the Spanish Global Health Strategy 2025–2030, promoted by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, and Health. The strategy reinforces Spain’s commitment to improving global health from an inclusive, sustainable, and human rights–based approach, addressing challenges such as health emergencies, climate change, inequalities, and access to innovation. Spain becomes the fifth EU country with a dedicated global health strategy, aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The strategy’s six objectives are:

• Strengthen resilient public health systems – promote universal, accessible care and strengthen workforce capacity;
• Promote health and well-being across the life course – ensure sexual and reproductive rights, improve nutrition, water, sanitation, and reduce health inequalities;
• Address health effects of climate change – adopt a “One Health” approach linking human, animal, and planetary health;
• Prepare for emergencies and cross-border health threats – strengthen pandemic preparedness and equitable access to vaccines and treatments;
• Strengthen global health governance – enhance Spain’s role in multilateral institutions like WHO and improve coordination and financing; and
• Boost research, innovation, and digitalization – prioritize sustainable technologies, equitable access to medicines, and digital health transformation.

Implementation will be through an Inter-Ministerial Committee, an Executive Committee, and an Advisory Board, guided by principles of human rights, equity, sustainability, and multilateral cooperation.

Showcasing the importance of global health for the current administration, on 1 January, 2025, Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez participated at Davos World Economic Forum’s “Health and Prosperity Through Prevention” panel alongside with the CEOs of the Gavi Alliance, Sania Nishar, and the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Peter Sands. PM Sánchez took advantage of his intervention to reiterate Spain’s commitment to global health multilaterals, underlying the importance of strengthening global health governance. In 2025 Spain came back to the Executive Committee of the WHO after 20 years.

Key Bodies