According to preliminary OECD figures, France was the 3rd largest European government donor in 2012, with US$12.1 billion (€9.4 billion) provided in net official development assistance (ODA), or 0.46% of gross national income (GNI). To reach the UN target of spending 0.7% of GNI on development assistance by 2015, French ODA would have to increase to US$21 billion (€15.1 billion), but projections for 2013 only foresee an increase of US$156 million (€121 million). France’s ODA should remain at 0.46% in 2013, and then increase slightly to 0.48% in 2014 and 2015. Substantial parts of France’s ODA are made up of debt relief (9.6% in 2011) and other costs not directly benefitting developing countries (15.3%).

In 2011, France released a development cooperation strategy, which provides a ten-year outlook on the priorities and modes of intervention of French development assistance. The strategy focuses on four overarching objectives: 1) fostering sustainable and equitable growth for the poorest populations; 2) combatting poverty and inequality; 3) preserving global public goods; and 4) ensuring global stability and the rule of law. The strategy also includes health and agriculture as two key priority  areas.

France is the 2nd largest European government donor to global health after the UK, with US$1.1 billion in 2010. At 60%, multilateral spending on health continues to be significantly above France’s multilateral overall ODA share, and France has demonstrated a strong commitment to UNITAID, the GAVI Alliance and its International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm). In 2011, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs (MAEE) began developing a global health strategy to chart the direction and priorities for the next five years.

Agricultural development is a high priority for the French government, France was the 5th largest European government donor to agriculture and rural development, at US$713.5 million or 4.7% of gross ODA in 2010. 53% of France’s ODA to agriculture was delivered multilaterally in 2010. This share has been growing  steadily from 25% in 2007, mostly due to agricultural ODA channeled through the EU  institutions. France included food security as one of its core priorities during its 2011 presidency of the G8/G20, and is expected to maintain a focus on this area.