Growth in Switzerland’s Official Development Assistance in 2008

In 2008, Switzerland earmarked CHF 2.21 billion for official development assistance (ODA), showing a 9% increase over 2007. This increase of CHF 189 million is explained in particular by the large increase in expenses for asylum seekers originating from developing countries.  

The economic slow-down, resulting in a 2.4% drop in GNP in 2008, has also had an influence on the ODA to GNP ratio. Expressed as a percentage of gross national product, ODA increased from 0.37% in 2007 to 0.41% in 2008.  

The result of the 2008 ODA calculation has been communicated to the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD for purposes of international comparison. The provisional overall results will be communicated to the G20 meeting on 2 April 2009 and at the conclusion of the high-level DAC meeting at the end of May. Switzerland ranks 11th among the 22 member countries of the DAC.

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