ODA Spending


How much ODA does the EUI allocate to education?


The EUI spent US$1.4 billion of ODA on education in 2022. If compared to DAC Donor countries, the EUI would be the 3rd largest donor to education. This represents 4% of EUI's total ODA.


With an exception in 2020, funding for education from the EUI has been decreasing since 2017, driven by a 50% reduction of funding for projects targeting basic education.



How does the EUI allocate educational ODA?


Bilateral Spending


In 2022, 100% of the EUI ’s ODA for education was channeled bilaterally, in line with overall EU development spending. 21% of the funding was channeled through multilaterals as earmarked funding through multilaterals.


As in previous years, the EUI’s bilateral funding for education in 2022 prioritized:

  • Education policy and administrative management;
  • Education facilities and training;
  • Higher education; and
  • Vocational training.


Multilateral Spending and Commitments


The EUI's more recent commitments to multilaterals in education are summarized in the table below.



Funding and Policy Outlook


What is the EUI's current outlook on educational ODA?


The EUI considers education essential to achieving the SDGs, reducing social inequalities, and advancing gender equality. It falls within the European Consensus on Development's framework: ‘People – human development and dignity’ framework. In September 2022, the EU reaffirmed its 2008 commitment to increase the proportion of NDICI’s budget for education from 7% to 10% by 2024. This is half of what the EU aims to spend on human development overall (at least 20%).


Increasing focus on education in emergencies and fragile contexts is likely to continue. According to the EC, the share of humanitarian funding from the EUI dedicated to education increased from less than 1% in 2015 to 10% in 2019. In November 2021, the Commission said the EU would continue to target 10% of its annual humanitarian budget for child protection and education in emergencies, in particular access to education for girls in humanitarian contexts.


Decades of Neglect


Key bodies



Related Publications

UNGA79: Leaving No One Behind

Key Commitments and Takeaways from UNGA 79

A new era of development assistance: Key takeaways from the G7 summit

Donor Updates in Brief: 2023 OECD Preliminary Data

Looking for a cross donor perspective?

Learn more about SEEK's work on education

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