Slovenia increases ODA in support of Ukraine and LDCs by 48%
These are the preliminary figures for ODA in 2022, published today by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) based on reports by its member countries. Slovenia spent EUR 155.78 million on ODA last year, or 0.27% of gross national income. This is a 48.7% increase on 2021, when it spent EUR 98.25 million, or 0.19% of gross national income.
Slovenia's bilateral ODA increased significantly, by EUR 39.94 million or by 101%, mainly due to the cancelled interest worth EUR 18.78 million on the clearing debt owed by the Republic of Angola. As a result, it is considered that the largest portion of Slovenia's aid went to sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, the increase in bilateral ODA was driven by an increase in spending on refugees from Ukraine in the amount of EUR 18.29 million. Multilateral ODA increased by EUR 17.59 million, mainly due to a higher share of the EU ODA budget. Contributions to international organisations also increased last year, reaching EUR 6.61 million.
In a year of unprecedented humanitarian need all over the world, Slovenia almost doubled its funding for humanitarian aid. In 2021, it allocated EUR 4.02 million for humanitarian aid, while in 2022, it contributed EUR 7.93 million. A large share of this aid is accounted for by assistance to war-torn Ukraine, but Slovenia has also increased its humanitarian aid to other countries in need in Africa.
Twenty EU countries – members of the OECD Development Assistance Committee, including Slovenia – have pledged USD 91.6 billion in ODA, an increase of 18.6% compared to 2021, or 45% of total ODA in 2022. Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway and Sweden have exceeded the UN target, committing more than 0.7% of their gross national income to ODA. Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have also exceeded the target. Slovenia committed to allocate 0.33% of its gross national income to development aid by 2030 in a 2017 National Assembly resolution.
All figures are preliminary. The final OECD figures will be available at the end of 2023.