Has the EU become more generous to the developing world?

Development aid rose by 6.1% in real terms in 2013 to reach the highest level ever recorded, despite continued pressure on budgets in OECD countries since the global economic crisis. Donors provided a total of $134.8bn in net official development assistance (ODA), marking a rebound after two years of falling volumes, as a number of governments stepped up their spending on foreign aid.

An annual survey of donor spending plans by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) indicated that aid levels could increase again in 2014 and stabilise thereafter. However, a trend of a falling share of aid going to the neediest sub-Saharan African countries looks likely to continue.

The largest donors by volume were the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and France. Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway and Sweden continued to exceed the 0.7% ODA/GNI target and the UK met it for the first time. The Netherlands fell below 0.7% for the first time since 1974.

• Primary Source

OECD: Development: Press Release, 08.04.14: Aid to developing countries rebounds in 2013 to reach an all-time high http://www.oecd.org/development/aid-to-developing-countries-rebounds-in-2013-to-reach-an-all-time-high.htm

European Commission: EuropeAid Development and Cooperation http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/index_en.htm

ESO: Background information: New EU website to provide easy and transparent access to aid data http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-new-eu-website-to-provide-easy-and-transparent-access-to-aid-data/

EurActiv, 05.05.14: British aid money invested in gated communities and shopping centres http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/british-aid-money-invested-gated-communities-and-shopping-centres-301918

EurActiv, 05.05.14: Austria to cut development funds by one-fifth http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/austria-cut-development-funds-one-fifth-301888

EurActiv, 12.05.14: Fact-checking: French development aid dropped in 2013 http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/fact-checking-french-development-aid-dropped-2013-302069

EurActiv [Opinion], 27.06.14: Ending extreme poverty by 2030 is a goal within reach http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/ending-extreme-poverty-2030-goal-within-reach-303137

EurActiv, 12.09.14: Germany's 2015 budget leaves overseas aid 'by the wayside' http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/germanys-2015-budget-leaves-overseas-aid-wayside-308410

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