- Policy
- ODA allocation overview
- ODA to and through the multilateral system
- Bilateral ODA
- Geographic, sectoral and thematic focus of ODA
- Private sector instruments
- Mobilised private finance
- Total Official Support for Sustainable Development
- Institutional set-up
- Quality and oversight
- Other profiles
- Additional resources
Development Co‑operation Profiles: Netherlands
Table of contents
The Netherlands is recognised for its focus on its strengths in areas such as food security, water, health and rule of law; its strong learning culture; and its continued engagement in fragile contexts. In 2025, the government redefined the objective and scope of Dutch co-operation policy, redirecting it towards its national interests of trade, security and migration and focusing it on its key areas of strength: water management, food security and health. The Netherlands’ total official development assistance (ODA) decreased in 2024 to USD 7.5 billion (preliminary data), representing 0.62% of gross national income (GNI).
This profile presents verified data on development assistance allocation. See the Development Co-operation Profiles.
In February 2025, the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development formulated a new development aid policy addressed to the House of Representatives, which stipulated that national interests such as trade, security and migration will take precedence in the country’s development policy. Programmes and activities will focus on areas where the Netherlands sees its comparative advantage – water management, food security and health – while support for previous priorities such as gender equality, vocational and higher education, climate action, and civil society will be gradually phased out or reduced. The government will also use development co-operation to boost security in various conflict regions surrounding Europe (e.g. West Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the Middle East and North Africa).
The Netherlands sees its multilateral engagement as a means to advance its policy priorities on the core themes of food security, water management and health, particularly with international financial institutions. At the same time, the new development aid policy announces reductions of about 50% in core contributions to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – among the Netherlands’ largest multilateral recipients in 2023. The Netherlands is among the few Development Assistance Committee (DAC) members with a range of dedicated mechanisms to foster policy coherence for sustainable development that aim to reduce negative spillovers from Dutch policies on developing countries, including a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) test for new legislation. The Netherlands is a leader in responsible business conduct.
The 2023 OECD-DAC Peer Review found that the Netherlands had fully or partially implemented all of the 16 recommendations of the 2017 Peer Review. The review praised the Netherlands for its focus on its strengths, engagement in fragile contexts and support to civil society. It also highlighted Dutch efforts to tackle the negative effects of its domestic policies on developing countries. The review recommended that the Netherlands step up its locally led development efforts, adapt its thematic focus to the partner country context and clarify its risk appetite. The review stressed the importance of managing the effects of in-donor refugee costs on the budgeting of other co-operation activities. Discover insights from the Netherlands’ 2023 Peer Review and 2020 mid-term review, and learn from Netherlands’ practices in Development Co-operation Tools Insights Practices (TIPs). and 2020 mid-term review, and learn from Netherlands’ practices in Development Co-operation Tools Insights Practices (TIPs).
The Netherlands provided USD 7.5 billion (preliminary data) of ODA in 2024 (USD 7.2 billion in constant terms), representing 0.62% of GNI.1 This was a decrease of 2.8% in real terms in volume and a decrease in the share of GNI from 2023. The new development aid policy of February 2025 announced a structural reduction in ODA spending of EUR 2.4 billion, starting in 2027. The cuts are expected to reduce the ODA/GNI ratio to 0.44% by 2029, compared to 0.66% under previous budget plans, meaning that the Netherlands is not in line to meet its domestic and EU commitment to achieve a 0.7% ODA/GNI ratio by 2030. Total ODA on a grant-equivalent basis has the same value as net ODA under the cash-flow methodology used in the past, as the Netherlands provides only grants.2
In 2024, the Netherlands ranked seventh in terms of ODA volume among DAC members and sixth among DAC member countries when ODA is taken as a share of GNI. Among DAC members, the Netherlands had the highest share of ODA allocated to interventions that focus on peace in fragile contexts (31.5% of gross bilateral disbursements in 2023). It also had the highest share of ODA commitments supporting gender quality in 2022-23 (84.7%), and the second-highest share supporting climate change (57.0%). The Netherlands is also one of the largest providers of aid for trade. Almost all Dutch ODA is reported as untied, both to countries and sectors covered by the DAC Recommendation on Untying ODA and those beyond.
The Netherlands 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.
The Netherlands provided most of its ODA bilaterally in 2023. Gross bilateral ODA was 69.3% of total ODA disbursements. Twenty-nine per cent of gross bilateral ODA was channelled through multilateral organisations (earmarked contributions).
In 2023, the Netherlands provided USD 3.8 billion of gross ODA to the multilateral system, a fall of 0.9% in real terms from 2022. Of this, USD 2.3 billion was core multilateral ODA (30.7% of total ODA), while USD 1.5 billion 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 42.2% of the Netherlands’ non-core contributions and 57.8% was programmatic funding (to pooled funds and specific-purpose programmes and funds).
The United Nations (UN) system received 35.4% of the Netherlands’ contributions to multilateral organisations, with a majority provided as earmarked contributions (USD 816.7 million, 61.4%). Out of a total volume of USD 1.3 billion to the UN system, the top three UN recipients of the Netherlands’ support (core and earmarked contributions) were the United Nations Office of Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) (USD 200 million), UNICEF (USD 148.9 million) and UNDP (USD 138.5 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, the Netherlands’ bilateral spending increased compared to the previous year. It provided USD 5.1 billion of gross bilateral ODA (which includes earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations). This represented an increase of 6% in real terms from 2022.
In 2023, country programmable aid amounted to USD 1.4 billion, or 26.7% of the Netherlands’ gross bilateral ODA, compared to the DAC country average of 43.1%. In-donor refugee costs were USD 1.3 billion in 2023 representing 25.4% of the Netherlands’ gross bilateral ODA. This was an increase of 24.2% in real terms over 2022.
In 2023, the Netherlands channelled its bilateral ODA mainly through public sector, multilateral organisations and NGOs. Technical co-operation made up 6.7% of gross ODA in 2023.
In 2023, civil society organisations (CSOs) received USD 1.1 billion of gross bilateral ODA, of which 8.5% was directed to developing country-based CSOs. Overall, 2.3% of gross bilateral ODA was allocated to CSOs as core contributions and 19.4% 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 increased as a share of bilateral ODA, from 21.1% to 21.7%. Learn more about the DAC Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Aid.
In 2023, the Netherlands’ bilateral ODA primarily focused on countries in Africa. USD 899.9 million was allocated to countries in Africa and USD 360.4 million to ODA-eligible countries in Europe (of which 93.3% was for Ukraine), accounting respectively for 17.6% and 7.1% of gross bilateral ODA. USD 114.6 million was allocated to the Middle East. Africa was also the main regional recipient of the Netherlands’ earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations, in line with its policy focus in recent years.
In 2023, 15.5% of gross bilateral ODA went to the Netherlands’ top 10 recipients. With the notable exception of Ukraine, its top 10 recipients are mainly in Africa, where the Netherlands has focussed its co‑operation, notably on low-income countries. The share of gross bilateral ODA not allocated by country was 78.6%. This high level is due to multi-country and regional programmes managed from headquarters that are not reported by the recipient country as well as expenditures for processing and hosting refugees in the Netherlands (32.3%).
In 2023, the Netherlands allocated 0.11% of its GNI to the least developed countries (LDCs). The Netherlands allocated the highest share of gross bilateral ODA (11%) to least developed countries in 2023, noting that 78.6% was unallocated by income group. Additionally, the Netherlands allocated 7.4% of gross bilateral ODA to land-locked developing countries in 2023, equal to USD 378.6 million.
Looking at the distribution of the Netherlands’ ODA in relation to “ODA per person in extreme poverty”,3 the amount was USD 1.8 in LDCs, USD 2.4 in lower middle-income countries and USD 4.2 in upper middle-income countries.
In 2024, the Netherlands provided USD 242.6 million of net bilateral ODA to Ukraine to respond to the impacts of Russia’s full-scale invasion, a 31.3% decrease from 2023 in real terms. USD 38.1 million of the amount was humanitarian assistance in 2024, a 46.6% decrease from 2023.
Support to contexts with high and extreme fragility was USD 621.7 million in 2023, representing 12.2% of the Netherlands’ gross bilateral ODA. Two per cent of this ODA was provided in the form of humanitarian assistance, a decrease from 2.3% in 2022, while 31.5% was allocated to peace, an increase from 28.6% in 2022. Seven per cent of gross bilateral ODA went to conflict prevention, a subset of contributions to peace, representing an increase from 5.8% in 2022. Learn more about the OECD States of Fragility platform.
In 2023, the largest focus of the Netherlands’ bilateral ODA was “other macro sectors”. Investments in this area accounted for 31% of bilateral ODA commitments (USD 1.8 billion), with a strong focus on support to refugees hosted in the Netherlands (USD 1.3 billion), administrative costs of donors (USD 402 million), and development food assistance (USD 46.1 million). ODA for social infrastructure and services totalled USD 1.7 billion, with a focus on government and civil society (USD 901 million), but also the health and population (USD 330.9 million) and water sector (USD 279.3 million). Multi-sector amounted to USD 700.4 million (12.3% of bilateral ODA). Earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations also focused on social sectors and other macro sectors in 2023.
In the period 2022-23, the Netherlands committed 84.7% of screened bilateral allocable ODA to gender equality and women’s empowerment, compared to 82% in 2020-21,4 and an 2022-23 DAC average of 45.8%. This is equal to USD 3.4 billion 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 27.9% in 2022-23, compared with the DAC average of 4%.
The Netherlands includes gender equality objectives in 93% of ODA for humanitarian aid, above the 2022-23 DAC average of 19.1%.
The Netherlands screens virtually all bilateral allocable ODA activities against the DAC gender equality policy marker (100% in 2022-23).
The Netherlands committed USD 2.7 million of ODA to end violence against women and girls and USD 29.6 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, the Netherlands committed 58.3% of its total bilateral allocable ODA (USD 2.3 billion) in support of the environment and the Rio Conventions, up from 42.1% in 2020-21. The DAC average was 39% in 2022-23. In addition:
Five per cent of screened bilateral allocable ODA focused on environmental issues as a principal objective, compared with the DAC average of 9.6%.
Fifty-seven per cent of total bilateral allocable ODA (USD 2.3 billion) focused on climate change overall, up from 39.9% in 2020-21 (the DAC average was 34.8%). The Netherlands had a greater focus on adaptation (50.6%) than on mitigation (22%) in 2022-23.
Twelve per cent of screened bilateral allocable ODA (USD 496.1million) focused on biodiversity overall, down from 12.5% 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 the Netherlands committed USD 6.2 million in support of the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean in 2023, USD 12 million less than in 2022. The 2023 value is equivalent to 0.2% of the Netherlands’ bilateral allocable ODA.
In 2023, the Netherlands:
Allocated 6.4% of its bilateral ODA (USD 328 million) to core poverty-reducing sectors as defined by SDG 1.a.1. This indicator captures grants to basic social services (such as basic health and education, water supply and sanitation) and development food aid. In addition, 0.2% of bilateral ODA (USD 9 million) went to social protection support.
Committed USD 0.1 million (0% of its bilateral allocable ODA) to the mobilisation of domestic resources in developing countries. Regarding the payment of local tax and customs duties for ODA-funded goods and services, the Netherlands does not typically seek tax and customs duty exemptions on its ODA-funded goods and services in partner countries and territories. It makes this information available on the OECD Digital Transparency Hub on the Tax Treatment of ODA.
Committed USD 959.9 million (24.2% of its bilateral allocable ODA) to promote aid for trade and improve developing countries’ trade performance and integration into the world economy in 2023. The Netherlands is among the top 10 official providers of aid for trade globally.
To build markets in developing countries and incentivise greater mobilisation of private resources for development, many providers, including the Netherlands, have established development finance institutions (DFIs) and similar vehicles that extend private sector instruments (PSI). The Access to Energy Fund (AEF), Building Prospects, Dutch Fund for Climate and Development, Dutch Good Growth Fund – Investing in Local Economies (DGGF 1), MASSIF, and Dutch Good Growth Fund – Financing Local SMEs (DGGF 2) were assessed as ODA-eligible PSI vehicles. PSI represented 1.1% of the Netherlands’ ODA in 2023 while the DAC average stood at 1.3%.
In 2023, the Netherlands’ AEF, DGGF 1, DGGF 2 and MASSIF were capitalised with USD 80 million to extend ODA-eligible PSI in developing countries,5 in the form of loans, equities and mezzanine finance instruments.
The Netherlands uses leveraging mechanisms to mobilise private finance for sustainable development. In 2023, the Netherlands’ FMO mobilised USD 518 million from the private sector through syndicated loans, shares in collective investment vehicles, guarantees, direct investment in companies and special purpose vehicles, credit lines, and simple co‑financing. This constituted a 6.5% increase compared to 2022.
Private finance mobilised by the Netherlands in 2022-23 mainly targeted middle-income countries, representing 70.4% of its total mobilised. Only 1% of total mobilised private finance during this period benefited the LDCs and other low-income countries, noting that 28.7% was unallocated by income.
Mobilised private finance by the Netherlands in 2022-23 related mainly to activities in banking and financial services (42.5%) as its top sector. Furthermore, over this period, 55.4% of the Netherlands’ total mobilised private finance was for climate action.
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 the Netherlands as TOSSD totalled USD 7.4 billion, up from USD 7.2 billion in 2022. The Netherlands’ TOSSD activities mostly targeted SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). Activity-level data on TOSSD by recipient are available at: https://tossd.online.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with a dedicated Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, is responsible for the Netherlands’ development co-operation policy and management. Within the ministry, the Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS) steers the bulk of the ODA budget, directly delegating a small share to embassies. Key implementing institutions, notably for private sector engagement, are the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Development Bank FMO (a public-private partnership, with 51% of shares held by the Dutch state) and Invest International (a joint venture of the state and the FMO). However, the Netherlands does not report the different government channels disbursing ODA. The Foreign, Trade and Development Committee in the Dutch parliament oversees development co-operation.
The DGIS has around 300 staff at headquarters and another 300 in embassies in focus countries, around half of which are local staff.
A main mechanism for consulting stakeholders is the so-called Dutch diamond approach, thematic multi-stakeholder partnerships bringing together the government, the private sector, companies, CSOs and research institutions. CSOs active in development co-operation, humanitarian assistance and global citizenship education co-ordinate under the umbrella body Partos.
Internal systems and processes help ensure the effective delivery of the Netherlands’ development co‑operation. Select features are shown in the table below.
Access the full list of providers at this link: Development Co-operation Profiles.
2023 OECD-DAC Peer Review of the Netherlands: https://doi.org/10.1787/67b0a326-en
Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Development Cooperation: https://www.government.nl/topics/development
Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO): https://www.fmo.nl
CSO platform Partos: www.partos.nl
The Netherlands 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. 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.
← 2. Non-grants include sovereign loans, multilateral loans, equity investment and loans to the private sector.
← 3. 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.
← 4. 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.
← 5. 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.