Washington: More than 20 of the world’s wealthiest nations, including the United States and Japan, are stepping back from global development initiatives, as highlighted by a recent study. These nations are significantly reducing their aid and funding through multinational financial institutions.

According to Thai News Agency, the Commitment to Development Index evaluates 38 major economies using over 100 data points to measure how their policies impact poorer nations across areas including development finance, investment, migration, trade, environment, health, security, and technology. Sweden, Germany, Norway, and Finland have maintained their top positions in the latest rankings, as reported by the Center for Global Development (CGD), a Washington, D.C.-based think tank that releases this data biennially.

The United Kingdom has climbed two places to fifth in the latest rankings, although this improvement is prior to the government’s announcement of a 40% aid cut, which is anticipated to result in a decline in the UK’s standing in future assessments. Conversely, the United States has fallen two positions to 28th in the most recent report, a figure that does not account for the billions of dollars in aid reductions enacted since Donald Trump commenced his second term earlier this year.

The rankings have been published as South Africa gets ready to host the G20 summit this weekend, where the presidency will be transferred to the United States. Trump, who recently reduced US foreign aid spending and closed the US Agency for International Development (USAID), will not be attending the first G20 summit to be held in Africa, as numerous developed countries are reallocating resources from aid and development funding to defense spending.

The study also revealed that more than three-quarters of the surveyed countries are on course to decrease their greenhouse gas emissions between 2019 and 2023, although China’s rising emissions are likely to drive the overall rate upwards. More countries, however, are becoming increasingly open to migrants and refugees.

CGD noted that despite some improvements in immigration and environmental policies, the general trend is moving backwards, with increases in arms exports, trade barriers, and fossil fuel subsidies.