Just a few short years ago, French President Emmanuel Macron championed international aid at the 2023 Summit for New Global Financial Pact in Paris. In front of world leaders, Macron called for others to join him in building a new international financial system that works for all, declaring “No country should have to choose between fighting poverty, combating climate change, or preserving biodiversity.” 

But that vision is now at risk. While Macron remains vocal in his support for global camaraderie, the political tide in France — historically one of the world’s top aid donors — has started making a sudden and sharp U-turn. Facing fiscal pressures and a fractious political landscape, France has slashed its 2025 development budget by over €2 billion (nearly 40% total), its steepest cuts ever. The lives of millions who rely on this support are now in serious peril.

Why the sudden switch-up? Let’s rewind the clock, and talk about what you can do to help. 

How Did We Get Here?

Not too long ago in 2021, France enshrined its commitment to meet the UN’s target of spending 0.7% of its Gross National Income (GNI) on foreign aid, or Official Development Assistance (ODA), by 2025 into law. This was meant to solidify France’s legacy of being a leader in international development, exemplified through its history of clever financing mechanisms. From an airplane ticket tax first introduced in 2005 to fund AIDS relief efforts to a 2012 financial transaction tax (FTT) benefitting global health, France earmarked at least €738 million through these so-called “solidarity taxes” for aid every year.

But by mid-2023, cracks began to show. First, the 0.7% goal was quietly pushed back 5 years to 2030. Then in early 2024, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire announced a sharp €742 million reduction in aid. But after a chaotic political season (including a collapsed government and quick succession of prime ministers) France dropped an even bigger bombshell with steeper ODA cuts totaling €2.1 billion (about a 39% drop). Even worse? It’s now redirecting its solidarity taxes away from ODA altogether, cutting off a key source of aid (even as their value could be increased dramatically with proper oversight). If these trends continue, France could see a €21.2 billion total dip in aid over the next five years. 

Why the U-Turn?

So what’s behind this pendulum swing? The answer lies in France’s ballooning public deficit and rising far-right movement, which argues that financial constraints at home mean every Euro should stay within French borders. It’s a similar story found in other wealthy nations across the globe that have been stripping back their aid. Paradoxically though, France is still planning to raise its military spending to 2% of GDP in 2025 in spite of its major budget crunch (echoing a similar move in the UK). 

This backsliding comes amid mounting global need. In the aftermath of COVID-19, extreme poverty and health disparities are once again on the rise. But while foreign aid’s often framed by critics as charity, the truth is it delivers key strategic returns for everyone through improved global stability and long-term savings across health and climate — not to mention improving geopolitical relations and reputations. 

France’s Leadership — and the World’s Access to Vaccines — on the Line

France is currently the world’s fifth-largest ODA donor and one of the top sources of climate finance worldwide. It’s also a major player in global health as the third-biggest contributor to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Gavi has saved the lives of millions of the world’s most at-risk children against deadly diseases like measles, polio, HPV, and many more.

Just last year, Paris hosted the launch of Gavi’s latest replenishment campaign, sending a powerful signal about France’s commitment to public health. Gavi hopes to raise $9 billion by June 2025 to vaccinate 500 million children, saving up to 9 million lives. But now, France’s aid cuts jeopardize the €813 million pledge it made last year. The optics are striking: France began looking to dismantle its solidarity taxes the very same year it celebrated decades of its leadership on global health.

To put these figures in perspective: €2 billion in cuts could have vaccinated 200 million children — nearly three times France’s population. Oxfam France noted this sum also represents a year’s worth of food aid for 9 million people across East Africa. The tattered aid budget also risks funding for other multilateral groups, such as UNITAID and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. This isn’t just about a single budget — it’s real lives on the line.

If lawmakers don’t change course, France also risks key partnerships with countries in the Global South it’s hoping to improve. It’s especially disappointing when you consider the fact that France has sought to be a counterweight against rising tides of nationalism and isolationism elsewhere. Now, it appears to be at risk of following the same course. 

Can France Shift Course Again?

The situation may look dire, but the debate rages on. Polling suggests that the public isn’t on board with the government’s cuts. 59% of French citizens support maintaining or even increasing aid spending. Meanwhile, a group of 25 MPs from across the French political spectrum condemned the cuts in a joint opinion piece. And in the aftermath of the US’ sharp 83% cut to international aid, a void has been left on the world stage — and a chance for other countries, like France, to step up and show true leadership instead. 

That’s because while ODA makes up a tiny portion of France’s national budget, its impact is massive. Aid equals more access to vaccines, food, and education, and less instability, forced migration, and conflict — especially in regions like Africa, historically a key recipient of French aid. 

What You Can Do

While these cuts may have passed, the fight to uphold France’s global standing isn’t over — especially ahead of Gavi’s final replenishment summit in Brussels this June. France can still step up by reverting these harmful cuts as soon as possible, restoring solidarity taxes to their original purpose, and following through with a robust pledge to Gavi. 

Add your voice to the debate and call on France to uphold its global leadership and honor its pledge to Gavi. Talk to your friends and family, and share information online to explain what’s at stake. You can also sign our petition urging France to halt its catastrophic aid rollback. 

If you’re in France, contact your representatives to condemn these cuts and encourage more innovative tax reforms. Smart alternatives exist: Stronger solidarity taxes alone could raise an additional €2 billion — the exact amount now being cut. Channeling those funds to where they’re most needed would help restore France’s global standing (especially in the Global South) and save countless lives at the same time.