24 Rich Countries Retreat on Development Support, Global Index Finds

London—Ahead of G20 summit in South Africa, new data show major economies backsliding on trade, technology and other commitments that underpin global growth.

Twenty-four of the world’s richest nations are pulling back from global development, according to rankings released today by the Center for Global Development. The Commitment to Development Index scores 38 major economies on how their policies from aid and trade to migration, climate, and technology affect more than 5 billion people in poorer nations. These findings come as G20 leaders prepare to meet in Johannesburg this week with discussions centered on economic growth and debt sustainability.

Most countries reduced their aid budgets compared to recent years, and fewer are channeling funds through multilateral organizations. While some improved on migration or environment, overall the trend is backward with arms exports, trade barriers and fossil fuel subsidies all rising.

The Center for Global Development’s Commitment to Development Index ranks major economies on how their policies affect development worldwide, covering more than 100 data points for each country across eight areas: development finance, investment, migration, trade, environment, health, security, and technology. With aid budgets under strain, the index highlights that countries can still contribute through these broader policy choices that not only support poorer nations but also deliver economic, health, and security benefits at home.

“Countries often think of development only in terms of aid, but the CDI shows that decisions on trade, migration, technology, and security also matter enormously, both for their own citizens and for the quality of life of billions living in poorer nations,” said Ian Mitchell, a senior policy fellow at the Center for Global Development and lead researcher on the Commitment to Development Index. 

“As G20 leaders gather in South Africa, they must halt this backsliding before it undermines both global security and growth, and demonstrate that a multi-polar world can deliver real progress for the world’s poorest countries.”

Additional key findings from this year’s Commitment to Development Index:

• Twenty-four countries are doing less to accelerate international development than in 2023 according to key indicators, with just 11 countries acting more internationally.
• Sweden ranks first overall, followed by Germany and Norway. Germany remains the highest-ranked G7 and G20 country.
• Most countries are giving less finance for development than in 2023. Fewer are channeling funds through multilateral organizations, and aid is increasingly directed away from the poorest countries.
• The United States fell two places to 28th. Even before steep aid cuts take effect, the US’s effort was falling with rising emissions pushing it further down the rankings.
• The United Kingdom climbed two places to 5th, but its standing reflects aid levels before the government’s planned 40 percent budget cuts, suggesting that a steep fall is likely in future editions.
• The Netherlands dropped out of the top ten for the first time, falling five places to 11th due to rising fossil fuel subsidies and weak investment standards.
• Luxembourg and Ireland made the biggest jumps up, each up 4 spots. Luxembourg's rise in the rankings stems from its increase in development finance, while Ireland climbed thanks to admitting significantly more migrants from poorer countries.
• More than three-quarters of countries cut their emissions between 2019 and 2023, but overall emissions across the countries ranked in the CDI still rose, driven by increases in China.
• More countries are hosting migrants and refugees, but most new arrivals come from middle-income rather than poorer countries, limiting the development impact.
• Fossil fuel subsidies rose in most countries, though 10 countries, including Australia and Türkiye reduced them despite energy price pressures.

“Even as aid budgets shrink, countries have powerful tools to support stability and accelerate prosperity in other countries,” said Mitchell. “At this week’s G20 summit, leaders should act on policies that can make a real difference, including lowering trade barriers, reducing distortionary subsidies, investing in research, and opening doors to students and migrants.”

The full Commitment to Development Index, including country rankings and interactive data, is available at cgdev.org/cdi.

Overall Rankings & Rank Changes from 2023

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