Switzerland's aid was below the UN target.
Stiftung Menschen für Menschen Schweiz
Switzerland’s official development assistance (ODA) amounted to 0.44% of Gross National Income (GNI) last year, down from 0.46% in 2017 and below the UN target of 0.7%.
It is also below the 2018 European Union average of 0.47% of GNI.
Total Swiss ODA spending in 2018 was just over CHF3 billion, down CHF68 million on the previous year. In a statementExternal link, the foreign ministry attributed the decline to a drop in asylum-related costs and cuts decided by parliament.
The bulk of Swiss ODA (80%) goes to international development projects that “help reduce poverty and global risks, promote peace and respect for human rights, and mitigate the causes of forced displacement and irregular migration,” according to the foreign ministry.
“Switzerland also contributes to sustainable, environmentally-friendly development worldwide, particularly in terms of sustainable resource management,” it said.
In 2018, Sweden, Luxembourg, Norway, Denmark and the United Kingdom reached the United Nation’s 0.7% target of GNI to be spent on ODA. Switzerland is placed eighth in international rankings compiled by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
More
More
Swiss aid ‘too focused on stopping migration’
This content was published on
Swiss development aid should concentrate more on the needs of its partner countries and less on stopping migration, says the OECD.
Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?
Some regions of the world are on an upward trajectory with the promise of a steadily improving future. Where do you live? And in which direction is your region or continent developing?
This content was published on
There is no longer any danger of rockfall or landslide on the roads below the Graubünden village of Brienz, authorities say.
This content was published on
Europe’s biggest freshwater fish tastes better than its reputation, say fishermen in the French-speaking west of Switzerland.
Swiss authorities keep close eye on West Nile fever in Italy
This content was published on
Authorities are keeping a close eye on the situation after the death toll in Italy due to the disease has risen to seven.
Bern biodiversity project brings boost for forest bees
This content was published on
More sunlit areas in forests can boost the number of wild bees – both in overall terms and in terms of species diversity.
Swiss president kicks off National Day celebrations on Rütli meadow
This content was published on
Several hundred people gathered on the Rütli in central Switzerland at midday on Friday to celebrate the national Swiss holiday, before Karin Keller-Sutter addressed the crowd.
US sets deadline for Novartis and other pharma firms to lower prices
This content was published on
US President Donald Trump says he has sent letters to Swiss giant Novartis and other pharma firms calling for lower drug prices in the United States – or face retaliation.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss cut financial contributions to UN agencies
This content was published on
The Swiss government has reduced by CH30 million ($30.2 million) its financial contribution to UN agencies over the next three years.
Switzerland to increase aid partnerships with private sector
This content was published on
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) plans to double the number of partnerships with the private sector in the next two years.
Urbanisation poses challenge for Swiss development aid
This content was published on
Switzerland is adapting its international assistance policy to put more emphasis on aiding the urban poor in developing countries.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.