Millions at risk from U.S. foreign aid cuts

Steep cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) threaten to cause more than 14 million avoidable deaths by 2030, according to a study by The Lancet medical journal

Deaths prevented by USAID, 2001-21 (% of total deaths)*

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

*Estimates based on mortality data from 133 countries and territories

91 million – estimated total number of deaths prevented in developing countries

Number of annual deaths caused by cuts in USAID funding†

All ages   Children younger than five years

1,776,540
689,900

2,499,530
828,970

2,477,030
798,190

2,454,820
768,290

2,432,810
739,720

2,411,030
712,100


2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030

†Projections based on 83% reduction announced by U.S. government in Mar 2025

Sources: BBC, FT, The Lancet © GRAPHIC NEWS