Norway’s aid spending on refugees unprecedented in OECD

Norway boosts its aid to a record high level by reporting domestic costs for refugee expenses on scale that is unprecedented among OECD donors. Norwegian domestic expenses covered by aid amount to NOK 160,000 per refugee, which is more than twice as much as Sweden spends.

Reporting refugee costs as aid is very controversial. Though it is allowed by the OECD, the European Commission has advised its members against the practice. Several donors, including Japan and the United Kingdom, do not report any such costs as aid.

In this special report, Development Today looks into the donors’ differing practice when it comes to reporting domestic refugee costs as aid.