Main components of OECD-accepted ODA in the period 2005-15, preliminary data for 2015

The data on Official Development Assistance (ODA) published by OECD can give a good portrayal of the financial support by economically privileged countries for the developmental efforts of disadvantaged regions. But we need to look into the details. Our analysis permits to single out specific flows and focus on genuine aid.

The overall figures include several items that do not represent real transfers of financial, technical or personnel resources to developing countries. This holds true for administrative costs and spending for refugees in donor countries. The effect of imputed costs for students from developing countries on the socioeconomic situation is insecure and not programmable. The inclusion of debt relief creates opportunities for enhancing ODA statistics precisely for those donors, which promoted excessive debt burdens by backing export credits for the sake of their own commercial interest or by providing a high proportion of their aid in the form of loans. Lending for development projects is not suitable for countries most in need and often involves little financial effort on the donor side.

Therefore, we concentrate on real transfers made available as grants. Only these flows can contribute, in principle, to meet the financial requirements of partner countries for improving human development overcoming poverty, hunger and disease.

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Move the cursor in the respective categories to view the exact values and click on any items in the legend in order to remove or add them. Thereby you can create your own chart. For instance, you can compare grant transfers representing genuine aid or observe the balance of loans.