Australia maintains aid to Southeast Asia as other donors cut back
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 19:24 · Archive
Australia's aid to Southeast Asia remained stable in 2024 while other major donors reduced funding, leaving regional development finances at a decade low.
Australia directed $1.1 billion in aid to Southeast Asia in 2024, bucking a broader trend of retreat by other major donors. This represented a slight increase on the previous year, according to the Lowy Institute's 2026 Southeast Asia Aid Map, which analysed $456 billion in aid to all 11 Southeast Asian nations between 2015 and 2024.
Across the board, development finance fell by almost 10 per cent to $37 billion in 2024. Japan made the largest single reduction at $2.2 billion, mainly due to the conclusion of COVID-era loans. The US, UK, Germany and Japan are forecast to cut aid by a further $2.6 billion in 2025.
Rahul Nath, the Southeast Asia Aid Map research lead, said Australia's assistance was expected to remain stable due to Canberra's national interest in the Indo-Pacific and overarching aid safeguarding policies. He expressed concern about the trend, noting that aid is particularly important for social protection and helping countries build resilience. The poorest countries in the region rely predominantly on grants and highly concessional loans to support their development.
How it is being reported
- Australia holds firm with aid dollars to Southeast AsiaDevelopment aid flowing to Southeast Asia has plunged to a 10-year low, according to a fresh report, but Australia's contributions to the region remain stable.The West Australian · 11 Oct, 19:03
- Australia holds firm with aid dollars to Southeast AsiaDevelopment aid flowing to Southeast Asia has plunged to a 10-year low, according to a fresh report, but Australia's contributions to the region remain stable.Perth Now · 11 Oct, 19:02
In this story: Australia · Southeast Asia · Lowy Institute · Japan · United States · United Kingdom · Germany · Rahul Nath
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