Switzerland

ODA Spending

How much ODA does Switzerland contribute?

How is Switzerland's ODA changing?

How is Switzerland's ODA allocated?

Bilateral Spending

Switzerland recognizes the goal to invest 0.2% of its GNI in LICs. However, progress toward this quota has stagnated between 0.13-0.14% in the past years.

Switzerland's 2021-2024 Strategy on Development Cooperation highlights four priority regions for bilateral development cooperation, namely

• North Africa and the Middle East;
• Sub-Saharan Africa;
• Central, South and South-East Asia; and
• Eastern Europe.

Within those regions, the FDFA aimed to reduce its partner countries from 46 to 35 by 2024.

Multilateral Spending and Commitments

Switzerland’s ODA to core multilaterals by volume has increased since 2017, and funding as a percentage of ODA has remained stable around 24%. This is significantly below the DAC average. Top recipients included the World Bank Group, UN agencies, and other multilateral institutions.

What is the future of Switzerland's ODA?

The Swiss parliament allocates the budget for international development cooperation every four years. For 2025-2028, Switzerland’s budget forecasts CHF11.5 billion (US$12.6 billion) for development cooperation. This is a minor increase from the 2021-2024 budget, which stood at CHF11.3 billion (US$12.3 billion). Support to Ukraine and climate change are priorities, set to receive CHF1.5 billion (US$1.6 billion) and CHF 1.6 billion (US$1.8 billion) accordingly. However, experts argue that the funding to Ukraine will likely cause trade-offs with long-term development programs and should come additional to funding for development cooperation.

Politics & Priorities

What is the current state of Switzerland's politics?

Switzerland's government, known as the Federal Council, comprises seven members representing the main political parties. The political composition of the Council follows a 2:2:2:1 ratio, with the three major parties each having two seats, and the fourth having one. The current Federal Council consists of two members from each of the party FDP, the Social Democratic Party, the SVP, and one from the Centre, a coalition of the Christian Democrat People's Party and the Conservative Democratic Party. Each federal councilor oversees a specific department. Ignazio Cassis from the FDP heads the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Aligned with Switzerland's consociational democracy, the Federal Council members must present cabinet decisions unanimously.

The seven members of the Federal Council are elected or re-elected every four years by the United Federal Assembly, Switzerland’s parliament. The Federal Assembly consists of two chambers, directly elected every four years.

Switzerland's development cooperation is overseen by three key institutions: the SDC, the HSD within the FDFA, and the Economic Cooperation and Development Division of the SECO within the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education, and Research. Additionally, the FOPH is responsible for global health policy, while global health is funded through SDC. Every four years, the Swiss parliament establishes strategic objectives for development and humanitarian assistance through its Dispatch on International Cooperation.

Experts expect advocacy for global engagement, especially international climate finance, will become more difficult under a conservative government.

Who is responsible for allocating ODA?

The SDC within the FDFA is responsible for the coordination of Switzerland's development activities and cooperation and humanitarian assistance. Their thematic priorities include health, agriculture and food security, gender equality, and climate. The Division of Peace and Human Rights within the FDFA leads on policy around the promotion of peace and human rights.

In addition, the Economic Cooperation and Development Division of the SECO within the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education, and Research is involved in Switzerland's development policy. Its mandate is to support the creation of reliable economic framework conditions and innovative private-sector initiatives. Also, it defines Switzerland’s multilateral cooperation together with other federal agencies.

What are Switzerland's development priorities?

Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy for 2025–2028, adopted by the Federal Council in mid-2024, outlines the nation's approach to international development and humanitarian aid over the next four years. The strategy emphasizes flexibility to address global challenges, including conflicts, climate change, support for Ukraine, and economic disparities. However, this flexibility has led to concerns about potential reductions in traditional development cooperation funding.

The strategy maintains Switzerland's commitment to its core areas of international cooperation:

• Humanitarian Aid: Providing emergency assistance to populations affected by crises;
• Development Cooperation: Supporting sustainable development initiatives in partner countries; and
• Peace and Governance: Promoting peace building and strengthening governance structures.