- 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: Norway
Table of contents
Norway’s development programme focuses on climate change and renewable energy, global health, gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights, food security, reducing inequality and humanitarian assistance. An increasing share of the budget is also spent on humanitarian assistance. Norway is committed to spending 1% of gross national income (GNI) as international support for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), placing it among the Development Assistance Committee’s (DAC) most generous providers of official development assistance (ODA). Norway’s total ODA decreased in 2024 to USD 5.2 billion (preliminary data), representing 1.02% of gross national income – the highest ODA/GNI ratio among DAC members.
This profile presents verified data on development assistance allocation. See the Development Co-operation Profiles.
Norway recognises that achieving the SDGs is a shared responsibility, a principle that underpins its approach to development co-operation. Norway’s development policy focuses on climate change and renewable energy, global health, gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, food security, reducing inequality, emphasising private sector development, job creation, tax collection, public services and welfare systems. Norway also continues to play an important role in supporting peace and reconciliation processes globally and in humanitarian assistance, with a new humanitarian strategy for the period 2024-29. Human rights, gender equality, climate and environment, and anti-corruption are cross-cutting priorities. The Strategy for Norwegian Engagement with African Countries also guides Norway’s efforts in partner countries.
Reflecting its strong commitment to multilateralism, Norway channels a significant share of its core support to the multilateral system via the United Nations (UN) and multilateral development banks. Norway’s development policy also recognises that development covers far more than just ODA and prioritises efforts to strengthen international co-operation on tax, anti-corruption and reducing illicit financial flows.
The 2022 OECD-DAC mid-term review highlighted Norway’s efforts to embed key institutional reforms aimed at ensuring its system is fit to deliver effective development co-operation. Quality assurance has been mainstreamed across thematic departments in Norad, reflecting a more thematic portfolio approach, and Norway is strengthening its results-based management and learning. The mid-term review encouraged Norway to continue strategic workforce planning, support robust public debate and action on policy coherence challenges, and continue building staff capacities on conflict sensitivity in programmes. It noted that Norway had taken steps to address 11 of the 12 recommendations from the last Peer Review. Discover insights from Norway’s 2022 mid-term review and 2019 Peer Review, and learn from Norway’s practices in Development Co-operation Tools Insights Practices (TIPs). The next OECD-DAC Peer Review of Norway is planned for 2026.
Norway provided USD 5.2 billion (preliminary data) of ODA in 2024 (USD 5.3 billion in constant terms) representing 1.02% of GNI.1 This was a decrease of 3.8% in real terms in volume and a decrease in the share of GNI from 2023. Norway has consistently been among the top five most generous DAC providers since reaching the UN target in 1976, and continues to meet its domestic and international commitment to a 1% ODA/GNI ratio. Total ODA on a grant-equivalent basis has the same value as net ODA under the cash-flow methodology used in the past, as Norway provides only grants.2
In 2024, Norway ranked 10th in terms of ODA volume among Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and 1st among DAC member countries when ODA is taken as a share of GNI. In 2023, Norway is among DAC members that channelled the highest share of gross bilateral ODA to Least Developed Countries (19%), meeting the UN commitment to allocate 0.20% of GNI to LDCs. Norway also allocates among the highest share of ODA to support developing countries to mobilise their own domestic resources, ranking second amongst DAC members in 2023. Gender equality objectives are also included in a significantly higher share of Norway’s humanitarian aid (59.7%) compared to the DAC average (19.1%). Private Sector Instruments (PSI) represented 4.6% of Norway’s ODA, above the DAC average at 1.3%.
Norway has committed to several international targets and Development Assistance Committee 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.
Norway provided most of its ODA bilaterally in 2023. Gross bilateral ODA was 80.8% of total ODA disbursements. Forty-six per cent of gross bilateral ODA was channelled through multilateral organisations (earmarked contributions).
In 2023, Norway provided USD 3 billion of gross ODA to the multilateral system, an increase of 40.2% in real terms from 2022. Of this, USD 1 billion was core multilateral ODA (19.2% of total ODA), while USD 2 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 11.9% of Norway’s non‑core contributions, whereas 88.1% was programmatic funding (to pooled funds and specific-purpose programmes and funds).
The UN system received 50.9% of Norway’s contributions to multilateral organisations, of which USD 1.1 billion (71.2%) were earmarked contributions. Out of a total volume of USD 1.5 billion to the UN system, the top three UN recipients of Norway’s support (core and earmarked contributions) were WFP (USD 231.3 million), UNICEF (USD 163.9 million) and the UNHCR (USD 123 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, Norway’s bilateral spending increased compared to the previous year. It provided USD 4.3 billion of gross bilateral ODA (which includes earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations). This represented an increase of 28.6% in real terms from 2022.
In 2023, country programmable aid amounted to USD 1.7 billion, or 39.4% of Norway’s gross bilateral ODA, compared to the DAC country average of 43.1%. In-donor refugee costs were USD 427.7 million in 2023 representing 10% of Norway’s gross bilateral ODA. This was an increase of 2.3% in real terms over 2022.
Norway disbursed USD 30.2 million for triangular co-operation in 2023. Norway is a member of the Global Partnership Initiative (GPI) on Effective Triangular Co-operation. Its regional priority is Africa, with a focus on education. Learn more about triangular co-operation.
In 2023, Norway channelled its bilateral ODA mainly through multilateral organisations, non‑governmental organisations and the public sector. Technical co-operation made up 2.2% of gross ODA in 2023.
In 2023, civil society organisations (CSOs) received USD 1.2 billion of gross bilateral ODA, of which 6.2% was directed to developing country-based CSOs. Overall, 5.6% of gross bilateral ODA was allocated to CSOs as core contributions and 22% 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 24.3% to 27.6%. Learn more about the DAC Recommendation on Enabling Civil Society in Development Co-operation and Humanitarian Aid.
In 2023, Norway’s bilateral ODA primarily focused on Africa and Europe. USD 974.7 million was allocated to countries in Africa and USD 866.6 million to ODA-eligible countries in Europe (of which 86.9% was for Ukraine). These volumes accounted for 22.7% and 20.2% of gross bilateral ODA respectively. USD 356.3 million was allocated to the Middle East. Europe was also the main regional recipient of Norway’s earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations.
In 2023, 34.5% of gross bilateral ODA went to Norway’s top 10 recipients. Norway's top 10 recipients reflect its strong focus on Ukraine since 2022 and on countries where a focus is on post-conflict stabilisation and conflict prevention. The share of gross bilateral ODA not allocated by country was 47%, of which 21.2% consisted of expenditures for processing and hosting refugees in Norway.
In 2023, Norway allocated 0.24% of its GNI to the least developed countries (LDCs) accounting for 19% of gross bilateral ODA (814.4 million). Norway allocated the highest share of gross bilateral ODA (24.5%) to lower middle-income countries in 2023, noting that 47% was unallocated by income group. LDCs received. Additionally, Norway allocated 12.2% of gross bilateral ODA to land-locked developing countries in 2023, equal to USD 524.8 million and 0.3% of gross bilateral ODA to small island developing states (SIDS), equal to USD 13.3 million.
Looking at the distribution of Norway’s ODA in relation to “ODA per person in extreme poverty”,3 the amount was USD 1.7 per person in LDCs, USD 2.1 in LMICs and USD 4.1 in UMICs.
In 2024, Norway provided USD 837.9 million of net bilateral ODA to Ukraine to respond to the impacts of Russia’s full-scale invasion, a 14.7% increase from 2023 in real terms. USD 236.4 million of the amount was humanitarian assistance in 2024, a 12.4% increase from 2023.
Support to contexts with high and extreme fragility was USD 1.1 billion in 2023, representing 26.6% of Norway’s gross bilateral ODA. Thirty-seven per cent of this ODA was provided in the form of humanitarian assistance, an increase from 29.6% in 2022, while 16% was allocated to peace, a decrease from 18.9% in 2022. Five per cent of gross bilateral ODA went to conflict prevention, a subset of contributions to peace, a decrease from 6.1% in 2022. Learn more about the OECD States of Fragility platform.
In 2023, multi-sector investments accounted for 30% of Norway’s bilateral ODA commitments (USD 1.5 billion), with a focus on support to general environment protection (USD 632.7 million). Social infrastructure and services amounted to USD 933.1 million (18.1% of bilateral ODA). ODA for humanitarian assistance totalled USD 1.14 billion, most of which was allocated towards emergency response (USD 1.11 billion). Norway’s earmarked contributions to multilateral organisations focused on other macro sectors and social sectors in 2023.
In the period 2022-23, Norway committed 46% of screened bilateral allocable ODA to gender equality and women’s empowerment, compared to 45.7% in 2020-214 and a 2022-23 DAC average of 45.8%. It amounted to USD 1.7 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 6.5% in 2022-23, above the DAC average of 4%.
Norway includes gender equality objectives in 59.7% of its humanitarian aid, significantly above the 2022-23 DAC average of 19.1%.
Norway screens virtually all bilateral allocable ODA activities against the DAC gender equality policy marker (100% in 2022-23).
Norway committed USD 22.5 million of ODA to end violence against women and girls and USD 24.6 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, Norway committed 36.8% of its total bilateral allocable ODA (USD 1.4 billion) in support of the environment and the Rio Conventions, up from 24.4% 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%.
Thirty-one per cent of total bilateral allocable ODA (USD 1.2 billion) focused on climate change overall, up from 20.2% in 2020-21 (the DAC average was 34.8%). Norway had a greater focus on mitigation (22.5%) than on adaptation (13.4%) in 2022-23.
Fourteen per cent of screened bilateral allocable ODA (USD 534.2 million) focused on biodiversity overall, down slightly from 14.5% 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 Norway committed USD 159.3 million in support of the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean in 2023, USD 93 million more than in 2022. The 2023 value is equivalent to 3.5% of Norway’s bilateral allocable ODA.
In 2023, Norway:
Allocated 6.4% of bilateral ODA (USD 274.7 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, 0.9% of bilateral ODA (USD 38.6 million) went to social protection support.
Committed USD 390.8 million (8.6% of its bilateral allocable ODA) to development co-operation projects and programmes that promote the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Committed USD 29.3 million (0.6% of 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, Norway rarely or never requests exemptions, in accordance with its policy since 2017. It makes this information available on the OECD Digital Transparency Hub on the Tax Treatment of ODA.
Committed USD 868.7 million (19.2% of 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 Norway, have established development finance institutions (DFIs) and similar vehicles that extend private sector instruments (PSI). The Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (Norfund) was assessed as an ODA-eligible PSI vehicle. PSI represented 4.6% of Norway’s ODA in 2023 while the DAC average stood at 1.3%.
In 2023, Norfund extended USD 810.8 million in the form of PSI to developing countries.5 Of this, loans accounted for 26.3%, whereas equities accounted for 46.5%. Other PSI included mezzanine finance instruments and guarantees.
In 2023, USD 130 million (16%) of Norway’s PSI were allocated to LDCs and other LICs, with a majority (46%) allocated to middle-income countries and LMICs in particular (32.3%). USD 308.1 million was unallocated by income. Norway’s PSI primarily supported projects in the energy (43.8%) and banking and financial services (33.5%).
Norway uses leveraging mechanisms to mobilise private finance for sustainable development. In 2023, Norway’s development finance institution Norfund mobilised USD 370.1 million from the private sector through direct investment in companies and SPVs and shares in CIVs. This constituted a 50.9% decrease compared to 2022.
Private finance mobilised by Norway in 2022-23 mainly targeted middle-income countries, representing 80.8% of the total. Only 9.5% of total mobilised private finance during this period benefited the LDCs and other LICs, noting that 9.7% was unallocated by income.
Mobilised private finance by Norway in 2022-23 focused on the energy sector (82.6%). Over this period, 86.5% of Norway’s total mobilised private finance was reported as targeting 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 Norway as TOSSD totalled USD 6.2 billion, up from USD 4.5 billion in 2022. Norway’s TOSSD activities mostly targeted SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 5 (gender equality). Activity-level data on TOSSD by recipient are available at: https://tossd.online.
The administration and delivery of Norway’s development co-operation is largely shared between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Norad, with the involvement of other key ministries and agencies. The MFA is responsible for policy making and governance while Norad is responsible for implementing and managing most ODA grants, both humanitarian aid and long-term development assistance. Norfund is Norway’s development finance institution. The Ministry for Climate and Environment is responsible for Norway’s International Climate and Forests Initiative. The Office of the Auditor General undertakes studies and publishes reports on the performance of Norway’s development co-operation efforts, including a report on its aid to the Syrian crisis (2023).
Norway’s MFA has 1 350 Norwegian and 1 150 local staff, for a total of 2 500. Among the Norwegian staff, 41% work on development. Of the total number of staff (both Norwegian and local), 32% are based in Norway and 68% are based in country offices and embassies abroad. Norad has 335 staff (including full- and part-time staff), all based in Norway. The Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation has 57 staff. By the end of 2024, Norfund had 157 staff, of which 109 were based in Norway and 48 abroad.
Norad hosts an annual conference bringing together key Norwegian and international stakeholders on different themes. The 2025 Norad Conference focused on “Money Talks”. CSOs active in development co‑operation and humanitarian assistance co-ordinate under umbrella organisations, in particular, the Norwegian Forum for Development and Environment and the Forum for Women and Development. The RORG-Network is a network of Norwegian non-governmental organisations engaged in development education and awareness raising in Norway.
Internal systems and processes help ensure the effective delivery of Norway’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 Norway: https://one.oecd.org/document/DCD/DAC/AR(2024)3/14/en/pdf
2019 OECD-DAC Peer Review of Norway: https://doi.org/10.1787/75084277-en
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad): https://norad.no/en/front
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA): https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/foreign-affairs/id919
Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (Norfund): https://www.norfund.no
Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation (Norec): https://www.norec.no/en/home
Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI): https://www.regjeringen.no/en/topics/climate-and-environment/climate/climate-and-forest-initiative/id2000712
Norwegian Forum for Development and Environment (ForUM): https://www.forumfor.no/en/om-forum
Forum for Women and Development (FOKUS): https://www.fokuskvinner.no/en
RORG-Network: http://www.rorg.no
Norway has been a member of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) since 1962.
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.