We now know the size but not yet the shape of cuts to Dutch development spending that are set to rock the country’s aid sector for years to come.
A new right-wing coalition agreement, published last month, revealed plans to cut official development assistance, or ODA, by €300 million (around $326 million) in 2025, €500 million in 2026, and €2.4 billion annually from 2027. Last year, the Netherlands was the world’s seventh-biggest donor, both in absolute amounts ($7.4 billion) and as a percentage of gross national income. But the changes would see ODA as a percentage of GNI drop from 0.66% in 2023 to approximately 0.46% in 2027.
The coalition was formed following elections last November in which the far-right Party for Freedom, or PVV, led by the anti-immigrant Geert Wilders, won the most seats. Wilders will not lead the new government, however, with former Dutch intelligence chief Dick Schoof likely to become prime minister. The composition of the cabinet is still being negotiated, to be followed by the release of a more detailed governing agreement.