Four out of ten Swedes think that Sweden's aid should be increased to one percent of gross national income, according to a new survey by the aid organization Diakonia. At the same time, Donald Trump is dismantling USAID, and several European countries are calling for tighter aid budgets.
– When the US turns its back, many seem to think that Sweden should step forward, says Mattias Brunander, Diakonia's Secretary General.
Diakonia's new survey, conducted by Verian, shows that four out of ten Swedes want aid to return to the one percent target – that is, one percent of Sweden's gross national income (GNI). Swedish governments of various stripes have supported it since the 1970s, but the current government abandoned this goals after taking office in 2022.
– Many people want to see a Sweden that shows humanity and that takes back the global initiative for gender equality, peace and democracy, says Secretary General Mattias Brunander in a press release.
Since Donald Trump began dismantling the American USAID, the world's largest aid agency, in February, the reactions from the outside world been strong.
“The consequences of USAID being shut down are of horrific proportions. Unimaginable numbers are now without the most basic necessities, and people fighting against the world's most authoritarian regimes have been left to their own devices,” he continues.
Today, aid accounts for around 0,8 percent of Sweden's GNI. The government plans to reduce it further, and the percentage will fall below 0,7 percent within a couple of years, according to a calculation from ConcordThis is in contrast to the UN's goal of High-income countries should contribute at least 0,7 percent of their GNI in international aid each year.
At the same time, changes are taking place in European aid and foreign policy. Both Great Britain that Netherlands have already tightened aid budgets. Similar proposals for cuts have been hammered through, among others, Switzerland, France and Belgium.
Sida's annual opinion poll from December 2024 showed that an increasing proportion of Swedes want international aid to increase – 19 percent of respondents. This is the highest figure in 23 years, according to Sida.
– Every day we are faced with news from different parts of the world about how people have been affected by war and conflict, ill health, hunger or various disasters. This survey makes it clear that people want to contribute to other people having a more bearable life, says Maria Selin, communications manager at Sida.
Diakonia therefore believes that the Swedish willingness to provide aid has increased in recent months – from 19 percent who wanted to increase aid in Sida's opinion poll in December, to 25 percent in Diakonia's survey in March. The international situation and the American and European cutbacks may have influenced public opinion, the organization believes.
– When the US turns its back, many seem to think that Sweden should step forward, says Secretary General Mattias Brunander.
About Diakonia's survey
During the period January 27 and February 10, Verian asked the question "Do you think that Sweden should restore the aid level to one percent of GNI?" to 3 people randomly recruited from the Sifo panel.
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