The European Union continues to position itself as a key player in global health on the global political stage, as evidenced by its actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of its 2022 Global Health Strategy, and its considerable investments in major funds dedicated to fighting pandemics.
Yet, in the aftermath of the COVID-19, the world appears to have shifted its priorities, seemingly forgetting the lessons learned during the crisis. Development funds and support have been deprioritised in favour of migration, security, and defence issues. We are witnessing a deviation from multilateralism and international cooperation by historical donors, and unprecedented cuts to human development and health. This shift is evident in the recent cuts to health funding, after the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) Mid-Term Review (MTR), where despite an increase in total funds, the human development priority area of EU programming for Sub-Saharan Africa has been cut by almost 7%, by instance.
As we confront a multitude of health challenges intensified by climate change and biodiversity loss, it is essential that the European Union maintains its political and financial momentum to support global efforts to prepare for future pandemics, strengthen healthcare systems, and combat health inequalities worldwide. Through its international partnerships, such as the EU-AU partnership and in a Team Europe manner, the EU can continue to place human development high on its agenda and reaffirm its commitments to global health.
Global Health Advocates is proud to publish an updated analysis of the key figures in the EU’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) dedicated to health in 2023, highlighting the most recent trends in EU health ODA contribution.
Please note that the term “EU” refers in this document to the EU institutions only.
Sources
– Global Health Advocates’ calculations for the figures listed beneath are based on DonorTracker EU Profile and DonorTracker Global Health EU profile; an analysis of the latest official development assistance figures for members of the Development Assistance Committee published by the OECD, using the exchange rates by year shared by the OECD.
- EU ODA Dedicated to Health in 2023 (Figure 1);
- Evolution of EU Health ODA in recent years (Figure 2);
- Comparison with Health ODA from G7 countries in 2023 (Figure 3);
- Health ODA by Channel in 2023 (Figure 4).
– For Figure 5 (Recipient Countries of EU Bilateral Health ODA in 2022), Global Health Advocates’ calculations are based on an analysis of the latest official development assistance figures for members of the Development Assistance Committee published by the OECD, as well as the exchange rates by year shared by the OECD and the EU Aid Explorer.
– For Figure 6 (Health in Multiannual Indicative Programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa), Global Health Advocates’ calculations are based on the EU’s regional MIPs for Sub-Saharan Africa and the country-level MIPs for Sub-Saharan Africa.
For more information, please contact:
Issey Tchitchiama, EU Advocacy and Policy Officer
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