In 2025, several major countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland, have announced significant cuts to their international development aid budgets. The U.S. has frozen $60 billion in foreign assistance as part of a 90-day suspension (AP News). The UK has also reduced its aid budget by £6 billion, reallocating funds to defense (ONE.org). France has slashed its development budget by 35%, Germany and Belgium have similarly made cuts to their foreign aid programs, and the Netherlands is planning reductions by 2029, all signaling a shift away from longstanding commitments to international development (Euronews). Switzerland has also announced plans to close down several development initiatives (Euronews).
These reductions are expected to severely impact global education initiatives as well. The suspension of U.S. foreign aid, for example, has halted numerous education projects that support school infrastructure, teacher training, and access to educational materials, creating significant setbacks in countries already struggling with educational inequality (TIME). Similarly, the UK’s cuts have placed critical educational programs at risk, especially those that aim to increase school enrollment rates for girls and children in conflict zones (Euronews).
The consequences of these cuts on education are expected to be devastating. Learning losses are predicted to increase, with disruptions leaving millions of children without access to schooling and learning materials. In regions where education is already underfunded, these cuts could exacerbate existing gaps in literacy and numeracy skills, limiting future economic opportunities and leading to higher dropout rates.
These education program cuts threaten not just individual futures but the development prospects of entire nations, setting back efforts to achieve global educational and sustainable development goals (Reuters).
Our partner, GCE US, has strongly reacted to the suspension of U.S. foreign aid, which disrupts vital education programs. GCE expresses concern over similar cuts in countries like Switzerland and urges governments to protect and increase education funding. These cuts threaten global efforts to provide quality education, particularly in conflict-affected regions, and GCE calls for a reversal of aid reductions to ensure access to education for all.
Image © GCE US
