Flemish development aid declined by 28 per cent in 2025
Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Flemish government totalled almost 43 million euros in 2025, a decline of 28 per cent compared with 2024, according to Statistics Flanders.
Flemish development aid spending peaked in 2022 at 119 million euros, largely driven by the reception of displaced people from Ukraine. Since then, funding has steadily decreased, falling to around 72 million euros in 2023, 59 million euros in 2024 and 43 million euros in 2025. All figures are expressed in current prices and are not adjusted for inflation.
Around 41 per cent of Flanders' ODA - the international standard for government aid to developing countries administered by the OECD - consisted of contributions that could not be geographically allocated. These include general support for scientific institutions and non-governmental organisations.
More than 13 million euros, or 30 per cent, was directed to Southern Africa last year. The Flemish government’s partner countries on the continent were Mozambique, Malawi and Morocco. About 3.7 million euros was spent within Flanders, while almost three million euros went to the Middle East and Northern Africa.
Most funding was concentrated in a limited number of sectors. Health, population and reproductive health accounted for the largest share at 40 per cent. Education followed with 15 per cent, while agriculture, fisheries and food aid made up 11 per cent.
Flanders' contribution to Belgium’s overall development spending is also declining. Flemish development aid represented just 1.8 per cent of Belgium’s total ODA in 2025, the lowest share recorded since 2006. It is also the first time the share has fallen below 2 per cent, having typically fluctuated between 2 and 4.7 per cent.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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