Foreign aid: who gives the most, and where does it go?

Summary

In 2016, rich countries distributed over $140 billion in foreign aid, with the United States contributing the most—$31 billion, despite spending only 0.17% of its national income. While the US remains a major donor, countries like Sweden and Norway exceed the UN's aid target, donating over 1% of their income. The top recipients in 2015 included Afghanistan, India, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. Even though China is the second-largest economy, it received only $1.5 billion in aid, with contributions from countries like Germany and Britain. Overall, foreign aid saw a 9% increase in 2016.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rich countries are giving away more foreign aid than ever before, with over 140 billion dollars distributed in 2016.
• 😀 The United States was the largest donor in 2015, contributing nearly 31 billion dollars to at least 40 countries and organizations.
• 😀 Despite its large economy, U.S. foreign aid spending in 2015 was only 0.17% of its gross national income (GNI), which is lower than other rich countries.
• 😀 Sweden and Norway are the most generous donors, contributing over 1% of their GNI to foreign aid.
• 😀 The largest recipients of foreign aid in 2015 included Afghanistan, India, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Indonesia.
• 😀 Afghanistan received 3.8 billion dollars in foreign aid, while India received 3.1 billion dollars in the same year.
• 😀 China, despite being the second-largest economy in the world, received only 1.5 billion dollars in foreign aid in 2015.
• 😀 In 2015, Germany contributed around 750 million dollars in foreign aid to China, while Britain gave 67 million dollars.
• 😀 Foreign aid reached an all-time high in 2016, increasing by 9% from the previous year.
• 😀 Six countries met or exceeded the United Nations' foreign aid target, donating more than 0.7% of their GNI to aid.

Q & A

How much foreign aid was distributed globally in 2016?

In 2016, over $140 billion in foreign aid was distributed globally, marking the highest amount on record.

Which country contributed the most foreign aid in 2015?

The United States contributed the most foreign aid in 2015, donating nearly $31 billion to at least 40 countries and organizations.

How much foreign aid did the United States give to Pakistan and Mexico in 2015?

In 2015, the United States gave $770 million to Pakistan and $250 million to Mexico as part of its foreign aid contributions.

What percentage of the United States' Gross National Income (GNI) was allocated to foreign aid in 2015?

In 2015, U.S. foreign aid spending was just 0.17% of its Gross National Income (GNI), which is considered quite low compared to other rich countries.

Which countries were the biggest givers of foreign aid in 2015?

Sweden and Norway were the biggest givers of foreign aid in 2015, each donating more than 1% of their Gross National Income (GNI).

What were the largest recipients of foreign aid in 2015?

The largest recipients of foreign aid in 2015 were Afghanistan, India, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Indonesia, with Afghanistan receiving the most at $3.8 billion.

How much foreign aid did China receive in 2015, and why is this notable?

China received $1.5 billion in foreign aid in 2015, which is notable because it is the second-largest economy in the world, yet its aid intake is relatively small compared to other countries.

Which countries contributed the most to China's foreign aid in 2015?

In 2015, China received approximately $750 million in aid from Germany and $67 million from Britain.

What caused the increase in global foreign aid in 2016?

The increase in global foreign aid in 2016, which rose by 9%, was largely driven by the generosity of six countries that met or exceeded the United Nations' foreign aid target of 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI).

What is the United Nations' foreign aid target for countries?

The United Nations has set a target for countries to donate at least 0.7% of their Gross National Income (GNI) towards foreign aid.