Development Co‑operation Profiles: Italy
Table of contents
Italy’s development co-operation promotes education, training and decent work, agriculture and food security, the environment and climate change, risk reduction, energy, health, and water and sanitation. Italy works to promote gender equality and women's empowerment as cross-cutting themes. In recent years, Italy has committed to a renewed equitable partnership with African countries based on mutual benefits. Italy’s total official development assistance (ODA) increased in 2024 to USD 6.7 billion (preliminary data), representing 0.28% of gross national income (GNI).
This profile presents verified data on development assistance allocation. See the Development Co-operation Profiles
Law 125/2014 sets out the primary objectives of Italian development co-operation, including eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, improving wellbeing, promoting sustainable development, human rights, gender equality, equal opportunities, democracy and the rule of law, with a view to promoting peace and security. The 2024-26 Three-Year Programming and Policy Planning Document (PPPD) establishes key priorities, including education, vocational training and job creation, food security, climate change, global health, water and sanitation, and focuses on 38 priority countries, 23 of which are in Africa. Seventeen priority countries are the least developed countries (LDCs) in Africa. The PPPD's main focus on Africa is in line with the priority given by Italy's foreign policy and with the "Mattei Plan for Africa"1.
Italy participates in multilateral fora and engages with multilateral organisations to contribute to addressing global challenges, in line with PPPD priorities. Italy's Presidency of the G7 in 2024 aimed to spur collective progress in the aforementioned sectors and geographical areas. Italy is also committed to strengthening the link between internal and external dimensions of sustainable development: the Interministerial Committee on Ecological Transition approved the review of the National Sustainable Development Strategy, which includes the National Action Plan on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development, in September 2023. Both documents take into account transboundary impacts and identify the PPPD as the guidance document on Italy's impacts abroad.
The 2022 OECD-DAC mid-term review commended Italy for its increase in ODA as per its road map to increase levels each year for the next five years, ensuring that humanitarian and development support to Ukraine and Italy’s commitment to triple climate finance remain additional to ODA. The mid-term review noted that Italy made progress on all 11 recommendations made in its 2019 Peer Review. The next OECD-DAC peer review of Italy is planned for 2026. Discover insights from Italy’s 2019 Peer Review and 2022 mid-term review, and learn from Italy’s practices in Development Co-operation Tools Insights Practices (TIPs).
Italy provided USD 6.7 billion (preliminary data) of ODA in 2024 (USD 6.5 billion in constant terms), representing 0.28% of GNI.2 This was an increase of 6.7% in real terms in volume and an increase in the share of GNI from 2023. Italy intends to align its multi-year trends with international standards on ODA and gradually approach the 0.7% ODA/GNI target of the 2030 Agenda. Within Italy’s ODA portfolio in 2023, 97.5% was provided in the form of grants and 2.5% in the form of non-grants.3
Italy ranked 9th among Development Assistance Committee (DAC) members in terms of ODA volume and 18th among DAC member countries when ODA is taken as a share of GNI. In 2023, Italy provided the largest share of its ODA for developing country-based CSOs among DAC members, totalling 42.9% of ODA to civil society organisations (CSOs). Compared to other DAC members, Italy also stands out for its high share of total gross ODA allocated as core contributions to multilaterals.
Italy has committed to several international targets and DAC standards and recommendations. Learn more about DAC Recommendations.
Note: This table only includes information about ODA data-related DAC Recommendations. ODA: official development assistance; GNI: gross national income; DAC: Development Assistance Committee.
Italy provided a slightly higher share of its ODA multilaterally in 2023. Gross bilateral ODA was 45.4% of total ODA disbursements. Fourteen per cent of gross bilateral ODA was channelled through multilateral organisations (earmarked contributions).
In 2023, Italy provided USD 3.8 billion of gross ODA to the multilateral system, a fall of 15.8% in real terms from 2022. Of this, USD 3.4 billion was core multilateral ODA (54.6% of total ODA), while USD 407.9 million was non-core contributions earmarked for a specific country, region, theme or purpose. Project-type funding earmarked for a specific theme and/or country accounted for 41.7% of Italy’s non‑core contributions and 58.3% was programmatic funding (to pooled funds and specific-purpose programmes and funds).
The United Nations (UN) system received 13.4% of Italy’s contributions to multilateral organisations, of which USD 276.4 million (54.7%) represented earmarked contributions. Out of a total volume of USD 504.9 million to the UN system, the top three UN recipients of Italy’s support (core and earmarked contributions) were the UN Secretariat (USD 73.4 million), the United Nations Development Programme (USD 45.7 million) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (USD 41 million).
See the section on Geographic, sectoral and thematic focus of ODA for the breakdown of bilateral allocations, including ODA earmarked through the multilateral development system.
Learn more by exploring the dashboard on DAC members’ use of the multilateral system.
In 2023, Italy’s bilateral spending declined compared to the previous year. It provided USD 2.8 billion of gross bilateral ODA (which includes earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations). This represented a decrease of 28.4% in real terms from 2022.
In 2023, country programmable aid amounted to USD 480.1 million, or 17.1% of Italy’s gross bilateral ODA, compared to the DAC country average of 43.1%. In-donor refugee costs were USD 1.7 billion in 2023 representing 59.2% of Italy’s gross bilateral ODA. This was an increase of 3.1% in real terms over 2022.
In 2023, Italy channelled its bilateral ODA mainly through public sector. Technical co-operation made up 3.9% of gross ODA in 2023.
In 2023, CSOs received USD 208.2 million of gross bilateral ODA, of which 42.9% was directed to developing country-based CSOs. Overall, five per cent of gross bilateral ODA was allocated to CSOs as core contributions and 2.4% was channelled through CSOs to implement projects initiated by the donor (earmarked funding). From 2022 to 2023, the combined core and earmarked contributions for CSOs decreased as a share of bilateral ODA, from 8.9% to 7.4%. Learn more about the DAC Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Aid.
In 2023, Italy’s bilateral ODA primarily focused on countries in Africa. USD 449.8 million was allocated to countries in Africa and USD 166.6 million to the Middle East, accounting respectively for 16% and 5.9% of gross bilateral ODA. USD 114.5 million was allocated to Latin America and the Caribbean. Countries in Africa was also the main regional recipient of Italy’s earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations. These allocations are in line with Italy’s policy priorities for both bilateral and multilateral engagements.
In 2023, 13.5% of gross bilateral ODA went to Italy’s top 10 recipients. Its top 10 recipients are in Africa, the Middle East and Europe regions, in line with its geographical focus and its policy priorities. The share of gross bilateral ODA not allocated by country was 71.2%, of which 83.1% consisted of expenditures for processing asylum applications and hosting refugees in provider countries.
In 2023, Italy allocated 0.04% of its GNI to LDCs. Italy allocated the highest share of gross bilateral ODA (10.9%) to least developed countries in 2023, noting that 71.2% was unallocated by income group. Additionally, Italy allocated 6.8% of gross bilateral ODA to land-locked developing countries in 2023, equal to USD 191.3 million.
Looking at the distribution of Italy’s ODA in relation to “ODA per person in extreme poverty”,4 the amount was USD 1.4 in LDCs, USD 3.1 in lower middle-income countries and USD 7.2 in upper middle-income countries (UMICs).
In 2024, Italy provided USD 4.8 million of net bilateral ODA to Ukraine to respond to the impacts of Russia’s full-scale invasion, a 82.7% decrease from 2023 in real terms. USD 0.5 million of the amount was humanitarian assistance in 2024, a 97.6% decrease from 2023.
Support to contexts with high and extreme fragility was USD 485.2 million in 2023, representing 17.3% of Italy’s gross bilateral ODA. Twenty-eight per cent of this ODA was provided in the form of humanitarian assistance, a decrease from 35.6% in 2022, while 7.6% was allocated to peace, a decrease from 12.4% in 2022. Zero point four per cent of gross bilateral ODA went to conflict prevention, a subset of contributions to peace, representing a decrease from 1.5% in 2022. Learn more about the OECD States of Fragility platform.
In 2023, more than half of Italy’s bilateral ODA was allocated to macro sectors. Investments in this area accounted for 58.5% of bilateral ODA commitments (USD 1.6 billion), with a strong focus on support to refugees in donor countries (USD 1.7 billion), administrative costs of donors (USD 65.5 million), and action relating to debt (USD 13.9 million). ODA for social infrastructure and services totalled USD 613 million, with a focus on education (USD 258.3 million). Humanitarian assistance amounted to USD 206.3 million (7.8% of bilateral ODA). Earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations also focused on social sectors and other macro sectors in 2023.
In the period 2022-23, Italy committed 44.4% of screened bilateral allocable ODA to gender equality and women’s empowerment, compared to 44.7% in 2020-215 and a 2022-23 DAC average of 45.8%. This is equal to USD 507.3 million of screened bilateral allocable ODA in support of gender equality on average per year. In addition:
The share of screened bilateral allocable ODA committed to gender equality and women’s empowerment as a principal objective was 5.8% in 2022-23, compared with the DAC average of 4%.
Italy includes gender equality objectives in 60.5% of ODA for humanitarian aid, above the 2022-23 DAC average of 19.1%.
Italy screens the majority of bilateral allocable ODA activities against the DAC gender equality policy marker (70.1% in 2022-23).
Italy committed USD 16.4 million of ODA to end violence against women and girls and USD 10 million to support women’s rights organisations and movements, and government institutions on average in 2022-23.
Learn more about the DAC Recommendation on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of All Women and Girls in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Assistance and the DAC Recommendation on Ending Sexual Exploitation in Development Co-operation, and by exploring the dashboard on DAC members’ development finance for gender equality.
In 2022-23, Italy committed 22.9% of its total bilateral allocable ODA (USD 374.1 million) in support of the environment and the Rio Conventions, down from 45.7% in 2020-21. The DAC average was 39% in 2022-23. In addition:
Fourteen per cent of screened bilateral allocable ODA focused on environmental issues as a principal objective, compared with the DAC average of 9.6%.
Seventeen per cent of total bilateral allocable ODA (USD 280.9 million) focused on climate change overall, down from 36% in 2020-21 (the DAC average was 34.8%). Italy had a greater focus on adaptation (21.8%) than on mitigation (18.9%) in 2022-23.
Ten per cent of screened bilateral allocable ODA (USD 116.9 million) focused on biodiversity overall, down from 18.5% in 2020-21 (the DAC average was 7.6%).
Learn more about the DAC Declaration on Aligning Development Co-operation with the Goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Note: Individual Rio Markers should not be added up as this can result in double counting.
The OECD’s tracking of ODA for the sustainable ocean economy shows that Italy committed USD 7.8 million in support of the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean in 2023, USD 2.5 million less than in 2022. The 2023 value is equivalent to 0.7% of Italy’s bilateral allocable ODA.
In 2023, Italy:
Allocated 3.6% of its bilateral ODA (USD 101.5 million) to core poverty-reducing sectors as defined by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1.a.1. This indicator captures grants to basic social services (basic health and education, water supply and sanitation, multisector aid for basic social services) and development food aid. In addition, 0.7% of bilateral ODA (USD 18.4 million) went to social protection support.
Committed USD 204.7 million (18.4% of its bilateral allocable ODA) to address the immediate or underlying determinants of malnutrition in developing countries across a variety of sectors, such as emergency response; water supply and sanitation; and agriculture, forestry and fishing.
Committed USD 158.3 million (14.2% of its bilateral allocable ODA) to development co-operation projects and programmes that promote the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Committed USD 300 000 to the mobilisation of domestic resources in developing countries. Regarding the payment of local tax and customs duties for ODA-funded goods and services, Italy seeks exemptions. It makes this information available on the OECD Digital Transparency Hub on the Tax Treatment of ODA.
Committed USD 188.4 million (16.9% of its bilateral allocable ODA) to promote aid for trade and improve developing countries’ trade performance and integration into the world economy in 2023.
To build markets in developing countries and incentivise greater mobilisation of private resources for development, many providers, including Italy, have established development finance institutions (DFIs) and similar vehicles that extend private sector instruments (PSI).
In 2023, Italy’s Italian Society for Enterprises Abroad, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) extended USD 165.3 million in the form of PSI to developing countries.6 Of this, loans accounted for 47.3%, whereas equities accounted for 52.7%.
In 2023, USD 1.1 million (0.7%) of Italy’s PSI were allocated to LDCs and other low-income countries, with a majority (53.9%) allocated to middle-income countries and UMICs in particular (32.8%). USD 75.1 million were unallocated by income. Italy’s PSI primarily supported projects in the industry, mining and construction (51.8%) and other multisector (43.3%).
Total Official Support for Sustainable Development (TOSSD) is an international statistical standard that monitors and increases transparency of all official and officially supported resources for financing the SDGs in developing countries, as well as for addressing global challenges. In 2023, activities reported by Italy as TOSSD totalled USD 9.7 billion, up from USD 7.2 billion in 2022. Italy’s TOSSD activities mostly targeted SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals), SDG 1 (no poverty) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). Activity-level data on TOSSD by recipient are available at: https://tossd.online.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), and notably its Directorate General for Development Cooperation, is responsible for development co-operation oversight, decision making, and co-ordination and political representation internationally in the broader context of Italy’s support for sustainable development. The Ministry of Economy and Finance is responsible for co-ordinating with the MAECI in relations with multilateral development banks and funds and debt relief operations. The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Interior allocate ODA to climate- and biodiversity-related entities and activities, and for in-donor refugee costs, respectively.
Operating within the framework of the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ political guidelines, the Agency is responsible for the technical and operational phases of co-operation initiatives, including appraisal, formulation, financing, implementation, and monitoring. It operates in partner countries through its country offices. The CDP is Italy’s development finance institution.
As of 31/12/2024, the MAECI has 114 staff working on development co-operation at the headquarters. The AICS has 679 staff working on development co-operation, 525 of whom are in country offices. The Ministry of Economy and Finance has 39 staff members working on development co-operation; none serve abroad. The CDP has 73 staff members working on development co-operation, 6 of whom are abroad.
The main mechanism for consulting stakeholders is the National Council for Development Cooperation, a body established by Article 16 of Law 125/2014. The Council brings together 73 representatives of the main public and private actors, both profit and non-profit, engaging in development co-operation. Most CSOs active in development co-operation, humanitarian assistance and global citizenship education co-ordinate through the umbrella body Concord Italia.
Internal systems and processes help ensure the effective delivery of Italy’s development co-operation. Select features are shown in the table below.
Access the full list of providers at this link: Development Co-operation Profiles.
2022 OECD-DAC mid-term review of Italy: https://one.oecd.org/document/DCD/DAC/AR(2024)3/12/en/pdf
2019 OECD-DAC Peer Review of Italy: https://doi.org/10.1787/b1874a7a-en
Agency for International Development Cooperation (AICS): https://www.aics.gov.it
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation: https://www.esteri.it/en/politica-estera-e-cooperazione-allo-sviluppo
Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP): https://www.cdp.it/sitointernet/en/cooperazione_internazionale.page
Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS): https://asvis.it/asvis-italian-alliance-for-sustainable-development
Italy has been a member of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) since 1960.
The methodological notes provide further details on the definitions and statistical methodologies applied, including the grant-equivalent methodology, core and earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations, country programmable aid, channels of delivery, bilateral ODA unspecified/unallocated, bilateral allocable ODA, the gender equality policy marker, and the environment markers.
This work is published under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Member countries of the OECD.
This document, as well as any data and map included herein, are without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the name of any territory, city or area.
The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of international law.
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← 1. Its governance was established by Decree-Law 161/2023 converted into Law 2/2024
← 2. DAC members adopted the grant-equivalent methodology starting from their reporting of 2018 data as a more accurate way to count the donor effort in development loans. See the methodological notes for further details.
← 3. Non-grants include sovereign loans, multilateral loans, equity investment and loans to the private sector.
← 4. Aid per person in extreme poverty is calculated by dividing net ODA (bilateral and imputed multilateral) by the population in extreme poverty in each country. Group averages are calculated based on a weighted average of aid per person in extreme poverty and the number of people in extreme poverty for each country in the group. For more information on this indicator, please see here.
← 5. The use of the recommended minimum criteria for the marker by some members in recent years can result in lower levels of ODA reported as being focused on gender equality.
← 6. In 2023, the DAC agreed on revised reporting methods for measuring PSI in ODA based on ODA grant equivalents. Members may, however, take up to two years to transition to the new methods, with their PSI continuing to be accounted for on a net ODA basis during the transition period.