The OECD assesses fragility using a multidimensional framework covering economic, political, security, environmental, societal and human dimensions. By aggregating data on fragility and the financial flows to address this fragility, the OECD provides evidence on how to build resilience to global shocks or regional crises.
Conflict and fragility
An increasing number of communities, systems and states are struggling to cope with converging risks. The OECD offers policy solutions, data and expertise to help development co-operation providers remain engaged in contexts exposed to high and extreme fragility.
Key messages
Most contexts facing high and extreme fragility are not in a state of war. However, fragility increases the risk of conflict and erodes buffers to absorb shocks. By helping countries and communities address the drivers of fragility, donors make an important investment in preventing conflict and supporting peace.
Fragility makes it harder to adapt to climate change and cope with the impacts of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. Despite this, contexts facing high and extreme fragility receive insufficient climate-related development finance. The OECD offers insights into prioritising climate action and accessing the financing necessary to do so.
Many forcibly displaced people flee to places that are already experiencing high levels of fragility. This not only creates humanitarian needs but also requires development support. Development partners facilitate refugees’ integration by helping to strengthen national social systems, as well as providing humanitarian support.
Context
Fragility is intensifying in the worst-affected contexts
Global fragility has increased since 2016, mostly driven by political, security and economic factors.
While fragility is universal, it remains concentrated in the 61 contexts identified as facing high (43) and extreme (18) fragility in the 2025 States of Fragility Report. The largest overall increase was recorded in contexts already facing extreme fragility, suggesting that it may be self-perpetuating.
ODA for humanitarian assistance went up but the share for peace activities dropped
Official development assistance (ODA) for peace in contexts facing high and extreme fragility is at its second lowest volume since 2004. In contrast, humanitarian ODA to these contexts reached a record high level in 2023.
In contexts facing extreme fragility, humanitarian assistance now accounts for 50% of ODA allocations, reflect the reactive nature of Development Assistance Committee members' engagement in conflict prevention.
Contexts exposed to high and extreme fragility are more likely to be affected by organised violence
Violence is increasingly being used for economic or political gain. While the total number of fatalities from organised violence declined in 2023, more than one third of contexts with high and extreme fragility were affected by conflict.
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