Between 2013 and 2023, the European Union and its member states shelled out a whopping €710 billion in foreign aid, as revealed by data from Eurostat.
This substantial sum, directed toward reducing poverty, fostering development, and providing humanitarian assistance, was distributed through grants, loans, and other support mechanisms to developing nations.
Germany led the pack among EU member states, contributing over €195 billion during the ten-year span. France followed with €93 billion, and Sweden rounded out the top three at €46 billion. On the other end of the spectrum, Cyprus, Latvia, and Malta gave the least, with contributions of €52 million, €91 million, and €216 million, respectively.
Ireland, though smaller in scale, made its mark by donating €7.2 billion over the same period.
At the institutional level, the European Commission topped the list, allocating more than €172 billion. The European Investment Bank (EIB) pitched in with €38 billion, further bolstering the EU’s global outreach.
Among recipient nations, Ukraine received the lion’s share of EU foreign aid at €38.4 billion. Türkiye came next with €31.9 billion, and Morocco secured €12.4 billion. Other notable beneficiaries included Syria (€11.3 billion), Afghanistan (€10.7 billion), and India (€10.4 billion). Surprisingly, China also received €7.91 billion, despite its status as an economic powerhouse.
The breakdown of contributions from EU nations and institutions underscores the vast resources devoted to overseas development aid. Countries like Denmark (€20.9 billion), Italy (€26.8 billion), and the Netherlands (€42.1 billion) stood out for their significant contributions. However, countries like Lithuania (€267 million) and Estonia (€329 million) reflected the more modest budgets of smaller EU nations.
While the aid is aimed at fostering global stability and development, the sheer scale of the investment—along with some controversial recipients—raises questions about allocation priorities and long-term impact.
