According to preliminary OECD figures, the Netherlands was the 4th largest European government donor in 2012, spending US$5.5 billion (€4.3 billion) on net official development assistance (ODA). ODA has decreased since 2008 but was still above the UN target of 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) in 2012 (0.71%). The indicative budget for 2013 sets the ODA share at 0.68%, which would leave Dutch ODA below the 0.7% target for the first time since 1975 and the new coalition government has announced further sharp cuts to the annual ODA budget from 2014 onward.

Since 2010, Dutch development policy has undergone far-reaching reforms: partner countries have been reduced from 33 to 15, ten of them in Sub-Saharan Africa. The focus of cooperation is shifting from the social to the economic sector, and the involvement of Dutch business has increased in importance. Economic growth is now seen as the central driver of development and as key to reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The Netherlands spent US$675 million (€510 million) on global health in 2010, accounting for 9.8% of total Dutch ODA. While sexual and reproductive health and rights (incl. HIV/AIDS) remain a key sector of Dutch development cooperation, global health is no longer an official priority and funding has decreased. The Netherlands did not make an individual pledge to the Muskoka Initiative but committed to providing US$2.3 billion (€1.7 billion) by 2015 jointly with other donors.

ODA for agriculture and rural development amounted to US$227 million (€126 million) or 3.3% of total ODA in 2010. Agricultural development has gained in importance since the change of government in 2010.The Netherlands pledged  US$2 billion (€1.4 billion) to the L’Aquila Food Security Initiative for the 2009-2011 period, of which US$139 million (€100 million) was additional funding. According to the Camp David Accountability Report, the Netherlands has fully met its pledge, disbursing US$2.2 billion (€1.6 billion) in 2010-2011.