Mongolia becomes a donor to the World Bank's International Development Association

17 October 2026

Mongolia has become a donor to the International Development Association, the World Bank Group's fund for the poorest countries, after its parliament approved a contribution of MNT 4.8 billion, about US$1.3 million. IDA gives grants and highly concessional finance and currently funds work in 78 countries. It is replenished every three years, and Mongolia's money goes to the 21st replenishment, IDA21. Mongolia's Finance Minister Mendsaikhan Zagdjav called the contribution a milestone in the country's partnership with the World Bank. Lisa Finneran, World Bank Vice President for Partnerships, Innovation and Mobilization, welcomed Mongolia into the donor group. Mongolia has been a World Bank Group client since 1991 and has received more than US$1.62 billion in development finance, including IDA support for transport, rural development, health and education. It graduated from IDA in July 2020 and became an IBRD-only client, and the World Bank notes it reached upper-middle-income status in 2024. The country has therefore moved from receiving IDA money to paying into it.