Funding to UNICEF

UNICEF relies on voluntary contributions to uphold our mission of reaching every child.

UNICEF's programs are supported by voluntary contributions from governments, intergovernmental organizations, foundations, the private sector, and individuals. This diverse array of funding sources enables us to fulfill our mission of ensuring every child's rights, particularly for the most vulnerable.

With SDGs for children being core to our work, our strategic plan focuses on enhancing the coherence of partnerships and the delivery and evaluation of outcomes. We engage closely with our partners to develop efficient funding arrangements, maximizing the impact of every dollar spent in support of children worldwide.

Contributions to UNICEF come in various forms, such as direct or indirect funding, human resources (volunteers, consultants, and seconded personnel), partnerships, equipment, and other in-kind donations. Our funding is classified into the following categories:

  1. Core Resources for Results
  2. Other Resources (regular)
  3. Other Resources (emergency)

Pooled Funding – which covers Thematic Funding, joint programmes and trust funds – is an integral part of Other Resources. Multi-year funding of all types allows UNICEF to improve the design and implementation of our programmes, increase the visibility of our advocacy efforts, and lower operational costs to deliver higher social returns on investment. Multi-year funding, and flexible funding  of all types allows UNICEF to improve the design and implementation of our programmes, increase the visibility of our advocacy efforts, and lower operational costs to deliver higher social returns on investment. Flexible funding which covers Core resources (non-earmarked) and Thematic Funding (softly earmarked) is at the heart of UNICEF’s mandate and long-term results for children. When strategically combined with earmarked funding, flexible funding enables UNICEF – and our partners - to achieve impact for children on a large scale in both humanitarian and development contexts. 

UNICEF income1 by type of resource partner, 2016-2023

In 2023, total contributions to UNICEF were US$8.92 billion. The public sector contributed the largest share: US$6.55 billion from government, inter-governmental and inter-organizational partners, as well as Global Programme Partnerships.

Our top three resource partners in 2023 (by contributions received) were the Governments of the United States of America (US$1,402 million), Germany (US$746 million) and the World Bank Group (US$591 million).

Private sector contributions (from National Committees, individual donors, NGOs and foundations) amounted to US$2.1 billion. United States Fund for UNICEF (US$372 million), Japan Committee for UNICEF (US$172 million) and German Committee for UNICEF (US$164 million) were the top three private-sector partners.

With this support, UNICEF delivered life-changing outcomes for children across the Sustainable Development Goals.

1 Figures are based on ‘income’ which here represents contributions received from public sector, revenue from private sector and other income. 

2 Contributions received in cash and in kind. 

Results for children

UNICEF Annual Report

A snapshot of UNICEF's accomplishments over the years

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UNICEF partnerships

We unite with the public sector, private sector and civil society to protect children's rights and safeguard their futures

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For every child, results

UNICEF works for the rights of every child, every day, across the globe. Discover our results

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Shape the Future with UNICEF

Core Resources Annual Report 2023

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