President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) has significant implications for the agency's funding structure. The U.S. has historically been the largest single contributor to the WHO, providing a projected $958 million for the two-year budget ending in 2025, which accounts for nearly 15% of the agency's total budget of approximately $6.5 billion.
The majority of the U.S.'s contribution to the WHO, like most of the agency's budget, comes from voluntary donations. While WHO member countries pay membership fees based on their gross domestic product, voluntary contributions play a crucial role in funding the organization's activities. In fact, around 70% of WHO's budget is derived from voluntary donations, which can impact the agency's ability to prioritize public health initiatives.
In response to this funding structure, WHO member countries agreed in 2022 to reform the organization's financing model with the goal of reducing reliance on voluntary contributions. The aim is to make countries' membership fees contribute to about half of the budget by 2030, providing more stability in funding for WHO's operations.
As the specialized health agency of the United Nations, WHO plays a critical role in coordinating global responses to health crises such as infectious disease outbreaks like smallpox, Ebola, and polio. The organization also offers technical assistance to developing countries, facilitates the distribution of essential vaccines, supplies, and treatments, and establishes guidelines for a wide range of health conditions, including mental health and cancer.
Following the U.S.'s decision to halt collaboration with the WHO, other major donors to the organization include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with $689 million, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance with $500 million, the European Commission with $412 million, the World Bank with $268 million, Germany with $324 million, the United Kingdom with $215 million, Canada with $141 million, and the European Investment Bank with $119 million.
The withdrawal of the U.S. from the WHO underscores the importance of diverse funding sources for global health initiatives and the ongoing efforts to ensure sustainable financing for critical public health activities.
