Spending being cut but the focus of development cooperation policy is not yet reflected in expenditure
Focus and coherence remain concerns in government policy
The Netherlands' expenditure on development cooperation fell from 0.8% of gross national product to 0.75%, equal to €4.7 billion, in 2011. This is consistent with the target set in the coalition agreement of the now outgoing Rutte/Verhagen government. The focus and coherence of development cooperation policy have been increased by concentration on themes, countries and activities. Owing to delays in implementation, however, expenditure does not yet reflect the concentration on the four policy priorities of food security, safety and the rule of law, water and reproductive health. As announced, the number of partner countries has been cut from 33 to 15 but here, too, expenditure in the former partner countries has not yet declined in percentage terms. At the same time, new plans such as the regional programmes and private sector instruments have prompted new activities in many more countries than the 15 partner countries.