This report, Multilateral Development Finance 2026, is the fifth in a series that examines how the multilateral development system is resourced and delivers development support. Previously published under the title Multilateral Aid, this series provides a comprehensive view of multilateral development finance and its evolving role, scale and structure within the broader development co-operation architecture.
The report offers a unique systemic perspective by examining both inflows to multilateral development organisations and the outflows these organisations channel towards development activities. It covers the different components of the multilateral development system, including the United Nations Development System (UNDS), multilateral development banks, vertical funds, and other multilateral institutions, including the European Union institutions and the International Monetary Fund.
The analysis draws primarily on data reported to the OECD Creditor Reporting System (CRS), complemented by information on funding to the UNDS provided by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, various survey results, as well as publicly available data from individual multilateral institutions.
The report is structured in four chapters. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the main findings, including a summary of the recommendations. Chapter 2 discusses the context in which multilateral development finance operates. Chapter 3 explores recent trends in the funding to multilateral development organisations (inflows). Chapter 4 explores the development activities financed by the system (outflows).