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Foreign aid cuts threaten 20 years of child health gains
5 Dec
Summary
- Child deaths expected to increase for the first time this century.
- Foreign aid for health has dropped by over 26% from 2024 to 2025.
- Sub-Saharan Africa and low-income countries are most vulnerable.
Global child mortality, which had seen a remarkable decline for two decades, is now facing a potential reversal. Projections indicate that 2025 will mark the first year this century where child deaths increase, rather than decrease, a stark warning after significant progress in global health.
This alarming trend is largely attributed to substantial cuts in foreign aid for health. Between 2024 and 2025, global health aid is estimated to have dropped by over 26%, from $49 billion to $36 billion. This reduction in funding is expected to severely impact health systems, particularly in low-income countries and Sub-Saharan Africa, which are heavily reliant on this aid.
Experts warn that if these funding cuts persist, the consequences could be dire, potentially leading to millions of additional child deaths by 2045. Conversely, recommitting to health funding could save millions of lives, highlighting the critical role of international aid in maintaining and advancing global child health.
