US billionaire Bill Gates warns: “The numbers continue to rise.”Image: keystone
Dec 4, 2025, 9:49 p.mDec 4, 2025, 9:49 p.m
US billionaire Bill Gates warns of millions of additional dead children as a result of global aid cuts. Researchers commissioned by the Gates Foundation predict that the number of children who die before their fifth birthday will rise again this year for the first time since the turn of the millennium.
“The main reason for this increase in deaths is that aid funds that are used to buy mosquito nets and vaccines and to provide food for mothers and children have been cut.”
Bill Gates
“The main reason for this increase in deaths is that aid funds have been cut that are used to buy mosquito nets and vaccines and to provide mothers and children with food,” Gates told the German Press Agency.
Gates: Cuts would cause deaths of millions of people
In the health sector, global development aid money fell by 26.9 percent this year, the report says. This is mainly due to the US decision to stop a large part of its aid payments. But Germany, France, Great Britain and other European countries are also giving less money.
Image: keystone
“I believe that governments should not cut these aid budgets because such cuts result in the deaths of millions of people,” Gates told dpa.
Indebted states cannot make up for a lack of aid
The Microsoft co-founder’s foundation is a major donor in the area of global health and development. Among other things, it supports programs against diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria as well as vaccination initiatives in poorer countries.
“I believe that governments should not cut these aid budgets because such cuts result in the deaths of millions of people.”
Bill Gates
The aid funds to date have made up a maximum of two percent of the donor states’ budgets – a benchmark that not all of them achieved. But they made a much greater difference in poor countries. These are also burdened by rapidly growing debts. “It’s not like they have money that magically appears through these cuts. The net effect of these cuts is that children are dying,” Gates told dpa.
Billionaires are not a solution
Private donations from billionaires cannot offset the effect. “I’m already donating my entire fortune,” said the Microsoft founder, who is one of the richest people in the world. “Other philanthropists are coming in, but that will not be nearly enough to offset the massive government cuts.”
“I’m already donating my entire fortune.”
Bill Gates
The successes achieved over the past decades are now in danger of being lost. One example is the mosquito-borne infectious disease malaria, which is one of the main causes of death in children under 5. The World Health Organization (WHO) – whose largest donor after the US exit is also the Gates Foundation – reports that although 14 million deaths have been prevented since 2000, malaria cases have recently increased.
Make better use of shrinking resources
At the same time, Gates emphasizes that despite shrinking budgets, progress is still possible if the existing funds are used in a targeted manner. As examples, the report cites basic health care, the expansion and improvement of standard vaccinations, and the targeted use of data to implement measures such as malaria prevention more precisely where they are most needed.
The German government wants to reduce funding for development cooperation again.Image: keystone
Basic medical care can prevent up to 90 percent of all child deaths for less than $100 a year per person. If the available resources were used correctly, malaria and pneumonia could be eradicated as causes of death in children, the report says.
Gates’ request to Germany: carefully consider cuts
The federal government wants to reduce funding for development cooperation again – after the ministry’s budget had increased for years up to 2020. According to the draft budget, 9.94 billion euros will still be available in 2026, around 340 million euros less than this year.
“Ultimately it is up to decision-makers whether they make disproportionate cuts to the resources that save the lives of children in the world’s poorest countries. I very much hope that such disproportionate cuts will not be made.”
Bill Gates
Even greater savings should be made in government development cooperation and in contributions to the United Nations and international non-governmental organizations. Instead, contributions to multilateral development banks should increase.
Gates urged the federal government to be cautious. “Germany can be very proud of the funds made available and the incredible impact they had,” he told the dpa. “Ultimately it is up to decision-makers whether they make disproportionate cuts to the resources that save the lives of children in the world’s poorest countries. I very much hope that such disproportionate cuts will not be made.” (sda/dpa/val)