The CGD Podcast Inside the 2025 Commitment to Development Index with Ian Mitchell
Dec 11, 2025
Ian Mitchell, Senior Policy Fellow at the Center for Global Development, discusses the intriguing 2025 Commitment to Development Index. He reveals a decline in 24 of 38 countries' contributions to global development while highlighting emerging progress. Mitchell stresses the importance of moving beyond aid, analyzing harmful subsidies, and the need for transparent policies in projects like China's Belt and Road. He also explores migration's benefits and urges policymakers to utilize the CDI as a strategic tool for smarter, impactful policymaking.
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Widespread Retreat From Development Leadership
- Many assessed countries stepped back on contributions to global development across multiple policy areas, not just aid.
- 24 of 38 countries declined and nine of the top ten fell, signaling broad leadership backsliding.
Beyond Aid: Harmful Subsidies Matter
- Non-aid policies like subsidies and fisheries can harm poor countries and the planet.
- Fossil fuel subsidies rose after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and have not fallen fast enough.
Top Performers: Sweden, Germany, Norway
- Sweden tops the index largely due to strong migration integration and environmental policies like high carbon pricing.
- Germany and Norway follow for investment standards, migration, and development finance strengths.