On 16 April 2025, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released preliminary data on global Official Development Assistance (ODA) for 2024. ODA refers to government aid aimed at promoting economic development and improving welfare in developing countries.
After five consecutive years of growth, global ODA fell for the first time, amounting to $212.1 billion—a 7.1% decrease compared to 2023.
Lithuania’s ODA in 2024
In 2024, Lithuania’s official development assistance totalled €179 million, representing 0.24% of its gross national product (GNP). This marks a 12.9% decrease from 2023.
Ukraine remained the largest recipient of Lithuania’s bilateral aid, receiving €52.15 million. Overall, Lithuania allocated €85 million for bilateral assistance and €94 million for multilateral assistance.
Lithuania is actively seeking to increase the effectiveness of its assistance to partner countries, to strengthen coordination with other donors and to seek innovative forms of assistance to ensure that, even in a context of diminishing financial resources, Lithuania's support is targeted, well coordinated and has a lasting impact.
In 2024, Lithuania successfully attracted support from international donors to its Fund for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid. Through this Fund, Lithuania financed the rebuilding of a school in Borodianka and a kindergarten in Irpin—both destroyed by Russian military attacks—renovated a school in Snihurivka, and completed the construction of a bomb shelter in Irpin.
A key bilateral project financed by the Fund was launched to support Ukraine’s EU accession efforts, later on positioning Lithuania as the coordinator of a EU-funded programme. Among other numerous initiatives in 2024, Lithuania launched a new programme for the rehabilitation and reintegration of wounded and war-affected people in Ukraine.
Trends and Outlook
Lithuania’s ODA peaked in 2022 at €231.31 million (0.36% of GNI), driven largely by spending on refugee support. According to OECD rules, such spending counts as ODA only during refugees’ first year in the host country. As these expenditures dropped from €70.3 million in 2022 to €12.95 million in 2024, overall ODA levels also declined.
Globally, the largest donors in 2024 included the United States, contributing 30% of the total ODA from OECD DAC countries, followed by Germany, the UK, Japan, and France.
Looking ahead, the OECD forecasts that the European Union may become the leading ODA donor in 2025. However, aid levels could decline further—by 10–20%—as global financial constraints persist. Both the international community and Lithuania are seeking new strategies to ensure meaningful aid impact amid tightening budgets.
The Importance of Development Aid
Development aid remains vital in helping the world’s poorest and most vulnerable countries foster sustainable growth, strengthen institutions, reduce poverty and inequality, and improve overall living conditions.
