Austria

ODA Spending

How much ODA does Austria contribute?

In 2022, Austria provided US$1.9 billion in total ODA according to the OECD’s preliminary figures. By volume, Austria ranked 19^th in comparison to DAC donors. In 2022, Austria’s ODA/GNI ratio was 0.39%, ranking 14^th amongst DAC countries. However, when excluding IDRCs, COVID-19 vaccine dose donations, and support to Ukraine, the increase was moderate, growing from from 0.24% in 2018 to 0.29% in 2020. Since 2020, Austria's ODA/GNI ratio has stagnated.

How is Austria's ODA changing?

Austria's ODA volumes have increased 61% over the since 2018, rising from US$1.2 billion in 2018 to US$2.0 billion in 2022. This surge is mainly the result of heightened funding for IDRCs, COVID-19 vaccine dose donations, and support for Ukraine. Notably, funding for IDRCs increased more than fivefold, from US$63 million in 2021 to US$401 million in 2022, accounting for 20% of Austria's total ODA in 2022.

How is Austria's ODA allocated?

In 2022, 22% of Austria’s ODA was spent on contributions to the EU and IDRCs, leaving US$750.9 billion of bilateral ODA for development priorities. An additional US$82 million was spent on support to Ukraine and US$36 million on COVID-19 vaccine dose donations.

Austria has a preference for channeling ODA multilaterally, mainly as core contributions to multilateral organizations.

Bilateral Spending

The main sectors of Austria’s bilateral ODA in 2021 include education, humanitarian assistance and energy, refugees in donor countries and health and populations. Investments in health rose from US$8 million in 2020 to US$47 million in 2021. ODA allocated to costs for refugees in Austria nearly doubled between 2020-2021.

Almost a quarter of Austria’s bilaterally allocated ODA is not allocated by region. This includes bilateral funding that stays within Austria and bilateral programming to multiple countries. Beyond that, the top partner region for Austria’s bilateral ODA was Europe, followed by SSA, the MENA region and Asia.

In terms of income group the largest share was unallocated by income group. Following this, UMICs received the largest amount of funding, in line with Austria’s focus on South-Eastern Europe, followed by LMICs, and LICs.

The top five partner countries in 2021 were Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Iran, and Syria. Support to Ukraine increased by 18% from 2020 levels. The top 10 countries, four of which are in Europe, received 47% of Austria’s bilateral grants.

Austria also has a strong tradition of supporting conflict prevention and nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament, arms control, and the rule of law as foreign policy priorities. Austria promotes regional and European integration in Southeast Europe.

In 2021, Austria provided 87% of its bilateral ODA in the form of grants, which is slightly below the DAC average of 91%.

Multilateral Spending and Commitments

The largest share of Austria’s ODA channeled as core contributions to multilaterals was provided to EU Institutions in 2021, receiving US$416 million, or 53%. 27%, or US$215 millioon, was channeled to the WBG. MDBs and other multilateral organizations received 7%, respectively. Only 6%, or US$46 million, was channeled to UN agencies. Of those, IFAD received the largest share with US$6 million, followed by FAO, Central Emergency Response Fund, WHO, and UNHCR, which all US$3 million apiece. Austria’s funding to EU institutions decreased from 32% of total ODA in 2018 to 28% of total ODA in 2021.

What is the future of Austria's ODA?

Estimates forecast a decline Austria’s ODA and ODA/GNI in 2023 and 2024.

Politics & Priorities

What is the current state of Austria's politics?

Austria is governed by a coalition between the conservative ÖVP and the Green party. The government is led by chancellor Karl Nehammer, ÖVP. The next national election is scheduled for September 2024.

The BMEIA leads on Austrian development policy and Alexander Schallenberg of the ÖVP serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Core contributions to multilateral organizations and oversight of the OeEB fall under the purview of the Federal Ministry of Finance under the leadership of Magnus Brunner, ÖVP. The Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, led by Leonore Gewessler of the Greens, is responsible for Austria's contribution to the GCF. Additionally, various entities, such as local governments, federal states, and several other federal ministries, including Education, Science and Research, Defense, and the Federal Chancellery, contribute to and participate in Austria's ODA. The BMEIA also manages the budget and operations of Austria’s implementing organization, the ADA. The ADA operates through 11 coordination offices and 13 project offices in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. Within the ‘Nationalrat’, or the Austrian Parliament, the Sub-Committee on Development is responsible for development policy and the development of the Three-year Program for Austrian Development Cooperation.

What are Austria's development priorities?

According to Austria’s development cooperation strategy 2022-2024, Austria’s development policy focuses on include eradicating poverty, promoting peace and security, and protecting and preserving the environment and natural resources. Conflict prevention, disarmament, protection of civilians and the rule of law are long-standing priorities of Austria’s foreign policy. The regional focus of Austria’s development cooperation focuses on its Southeastern European neighbors, partner countries on the African continent, and crisis regions and fragile states.