Which countries cut foreign aid the most in 2025, and who is now leading the way?
Global Humanitarian Aid Cuts in 2025: A Crisis in Funding and Response
Which countries cut foreign aid the most – As the world grapples with shifting priorities and economic pressures, the landscape of international aid has undergone significant changes in recent years. The year 2025 marked a notable decline in foreign assistance, with several nations reducing their contributions to humanitarian efforts. This trend has left vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries facing greater challenges in accessing essential resources. The OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) reported a stark reduction in Official Development Assistance (ODA) from its peak in 2023, raising concerns about the sustainability of global humanitarian programs.
Aid Cuts Amplify Health Crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has become a focal point of the 2025 aid cuts, with its health system struggling to contain a devastating Ebola outbreak. Declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 16, the crisis has resulted in over 900 suspected cases and 220 confirmed deaths, according to the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO). The situation is compounded by years of international funding reductions and ongoing armed conflicts in the region, which have crippled the country’s ability to respond effectively.
“This outbreak is hitting a country already stretched to breaking point,” said Dr. Manenji Mangundu, Oxfam Country Director in the DRC. “Ongoing conflict and years of aid cuts have deepened a humanitarian crisis of staggering scale: one in four people are going hungry. Those same aid cuts left DRC effectively exposed to Ebola, weakening the surveillance systems that should have detected this outbreak weeks earlier.”
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) echoed similar concerns, warning that sustained underfunding has left the region “dangerously” vulnerable. “Years of underinvestment and recent funding cuts have left many health facilities without adequate protective equipment, surveillance capacity, or frontline support needed to respond quickly and safely,” stated Heather Reoch Kerr, IRC’s Country Director for DRC. She emphasized that the absence of donor-provided personal protective equipment (PPE) kits has forced health workers to operate with limited resources, increasing the risk of transmission and slowing down containment efforts.
The OECD Data Reveals a Record Decline in ODA
According to the OECD, the 33 member countries of the DAC saw a sharp drop in ODA funding in 2025, marking the first decline after five years of consistent growth. The total amount of aid from these nations fell to $165 billion (€142 billion) in 2025, a decrease of nearly $13 billion from 2024. This represents a 6.2% reduction in aid compared to the previous year, highlighting a growing disconnect between global needs and available resources.
Among the most significant contributors to this decline were the United States, which accounted for three-quarters of the overall drop. The US’s aid volume fell by 56.9% compared to 2024, making it the largest single-country reduction in recorded history. Despite this, the top five donors—Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and France—continued to dominate the global aid landscape, collectively responsible for 95.7% of the total decrease in ODA. However, their reduced budgets have significantly diminished the resources available to struggling nations, particularly in Africa and South Asia.
While the US took the lead in cutting aid, other major donors also contributed to the decline. Germany, for instance, saw a 12.8% drop in its funding, while the UK and Japan experienced reductions of 9.3% and 10.6%, respectively. France’s aid cuts totaled 8.2%, reflecting a broader pattern of financial restraint across key Western nations. These cuts have not only affected the scale of assistance but have also disrupted critical programs in areas such as vaccination drives, food distribution, and disease surveillance.
The EU’s Role in Humanitarian Aid and Future Challenges
Though individual nations played a central role in the funding decline, the European Union (EU) and its 27 member states remain a major force in global humanitarian efforts. In 2025, the EU accounted for 40% of all humanitarian aid, underscoring its continued importance in addressing crises. The bloc’s long-term budget for 2021-2027 includes a specific allocation of €11.57 billion for humanitarian programs over seven years, with approximately €1.65 billion committed annually. This framework aims to ensure consistent support for emergencies, but its effectiveness is now under scrutiny due to recent budget negotiations for 2028-2034.
Among the EU member states, countries like Norway, Luxembourg, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands stand out for their high contribution rates relative to their Gross National Income (GNI). These nations have maintained a strong commitment to humanitarian aid, allocating substantial portions of their national budgets to support global initiatives. However, even these robust contributions have not fully offset the broader trend of reduced aid from the world’s largest donors.
The United Nations has warned that the 2025 cuts have worsened the already dire situation for millions in need. With 239 million people requiring urgent assistance in 2026, the decline in international aid has created a precarious gap between demand and supply. This includes a record number of attacks on aid workers, which have disrupted operations and further strained local capacities. The DRC’s experience with the Ebola outbreak serves as a stark example of how underfunding can lead to cascading consequences, from delayed responses to increased mortality rates.
Implications for the Global Humanitarian System
The sharp reduction in aid funding has forced humanitarian organizations to rethink their strategies and resource allocation. With budgets shrinking, agencies are prioritizing immediate needs over long-term planning, often at the expense of preventive measures. This shift has left many countries, including those in the Global South, more susceptible to outbreaks and other crises. The DRC’s weakened surveillance systems, for instance, were unable to detect the Ebola outbreak early, contributing to its rapid spread.
While the top donors have maintained their dominance, the funding cuts have raised questions about the future of the global aid system. The EU’s commitment to humanitarian aid, though significant, is now tied to the success of ongoing negotiations for its next budget cycle. These discussions will determine whether the bloc can sustain its current level of support or face additional reductions. Meanwhile, the DRC and other regions continue to bear the brunt of these cuts, with their health and humanitarian systems under immense pressure.
Experts warn that the 2025 aid reductions could have long-term repercussions, particularly for countries already facing economic and social challenges. The DRC’s case illustrates how the loss of donor support can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, creating a cycle of underfunding and crisis. As the world moves into 2026, the focus remains on how to bridge the gap between global humanitarian needs and the resources available to address them. The coming months will be critical in assessing whether international aid can recover from its recent setbacks or if the trend of reduction will continue to shape the future of global assistance efforts.
