Which Countries Receive the Most Aid From the United States?

The United States government allocates aid to other governments which can be a military aid or economic assistance. Nations that are of strategic importance to the US as well as those recovering from war and developing nations are some of the countries which receive aid. Government-sponsored foreign aid took on a systematic manner in the aftermath of the 2nd World War with the Marshall Plan of 1948 as well as the Mutual Security Act of 1951-1961. The US government gave $43.10 billion in foreign aid in the fiscal year 2014. The countries which receive the most aid from the US are:

Which Countries Receive the Most Aid From the United States?

Afghanistan

Afghanistan received $4,533.51 million in US foreign aid which translated to $148 aid per person. The aid was meant to help the country rebuild itself and its economy. Concerns have been raised however about the ability of Afghan's government institutions to handle large amounts of funds. The country's political instability translates to weak institutions. Afghanistan is ranked as one of the most corrupt States in the world, and a significant amount of the aid money is unaccounted for.

Israel

$2,961.04 million in foreign aid was channeled by the US to Israel which translates to $367 aid per individual. Nearly all of the US bilateral aid given to Israel is military assistance. In September 2016, representatives of the two governments assented to a Memorandum of understanding pertaining military aid to be given from the fiscal year 2019 to the fiscal year 2028. The terms of the agreement require the US to allocate $38 billion to Israel in military aid. This agreement represents the single largest pledge made by the US in history. US and Israel have long enjoyed military and diplomatic alliances.

Egypt

Egypt received $1,566.24 million in foreign aid from the US which is about $19 aid per person. From 1948 to 2011, the US had channeled an estimated $71.6 billion in both economic and military aid to Egypt. Military aid accounts for much of the assistance given to the nation by the US and particularly for the purchase of military equipment. Part of this military aid is also meant to enhance border security in the Sinai Peninsula. The US has been assisting Egypt since the 1970s as a means of stabilizing the region and promoting its interests. The economic aid that Egypt gets from the US in meant for such sectors as education and health as well as democracy programs.

Jordan

An estimated $1,211.83 million in foreign aid was allocated to Jordan by the US which translates to $188 aid received per individual. Jordan and the US have long enjoyed a strong partnership. The US has been assisting Jordan to mitigate its challenges in sectors such as water, governance, economic growth, health, democracy, energy, and education. The US has further assisted Jordan with funds to host refugees from Syria and Iraq. The stability of Jordan further remains critical at a time when some of its neighbors are grappling with instability.

Importance of US Foreign Aid

The foreign aid the US allocates to various countries benefits both the US and the recipient countries. The economies of developing nations which receive US aid progress to some extent and as incomes rise in these countries, consumers get more money to purchase products including those sold by American firms. Developing states use the US foreign aid to address issues in some critical sectors including health, sanitation, education, and poverty. Countries grappling with terrorism concerns stand to contribute to international security if they are well equipped to deal with such issues.