Data and databases

In 2011, members of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD provided USD 133.5 billion of net official development assistance (ODA), representing 0.31 per cent of their combined gross national income (GNI).  This was a -2.7 % drop in real terms compared to 2010, the year it reached its peak.   This decrease reflects fiscal constraints in several DAC countries which have affected their ODA budgets.

Within total net ODA, aid for core bilateral projects and programmes (i.e. excluding debt relief grants and humanitarian aid) fell by -4.5% in real terms.

Bilateral aid to sub-Saharan Africa was USD 28.0 billion, representing a fall of -0.9% in real terms compared to 2010.  By contrast, aid to the African continent increased by +0.9% to USD 31.4 billion, as donors provided more aid to North Africa after the revolutions in the region.

The group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) also saw a fall in net bilateral ODA flows of -8.9% in real terms to USD 27.7 billion. Access the complete data

Our database (updated with 2010 data), the CRS (Creditor Reporting System), contains detailed quantitative and descriptive data on individual aid projects and programmes by type of activity. You can access this data through our two online tools:

• OECD.STAT browser for people familiar with navigating our CRS database
• QWIDS (Query Wizard for International Development Statistics), our simple, intuitive interface for people less familiar with the CRS

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Analysis

According to recent analyses, Africa is likely to receive less than half of the USD25 billion increase envisaged at Gleneagles, mainly a result of the underperformance of some European donors. Aside from monitoring the overall performance of donors and global ODA trends, we also produce studies of aid to specific sectors and on specific themes, including:

• agriculture
• aid for trade
• basic social services
• energy
• environment
• gender equality and womens empowerment
• health
• HIV/AIDS
• Rio conventions
• water supply and sanitation

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Methodology

What qualifies as ODA? And how is it measured?

Our statistical data collection is based on a standard methodology and agreed definitions, ensuring comparability of data across donors and recipients. Detailed information on ODA eligibility, classifications and collection methods are given in our Reporting Directives, which are constantly reviewed.

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