What the CDI Means

1. Rich-country policies matter

Much attention is given to what developing countries can do to foster poverty alleviation and growth at home. The Index highlights what rich countries do to help or hinder development abroad.

2. Development is about more than aid

Aid is important, but trade, migration, investment, environmental, security and technology policies influence development too.

3. Aid is about more than money

How donor countries design their aid programs is as important as how much aid they give.

4. Coherence matters

The Index penalizes countries that give with one hand (through aid or investment) but take away with the other (through trade barriers or pollution).

5. Partnerships are powerful

Facing global challenges that no one nation can handle alone, the Index rewards countries that deliver aid through multilateral arrangements, sign global environmental agreements, and participate in internationally sanctioned security operations.

6. No one is perfect

Almost all countries score below average in at least one area and most are below average in at least three.