The International Development Association serves 78 low-income countries, and 35 countries have stopped borrowing from it

International International organisation Economy & Banking Reports & Indices

The International Development Association serves 78 low-income countries, and 35 countries have stopped borrowing from it

Background

The International Development Association, or IDA, is a part of the World Bank that supports low-income countries with grants and concessional loans.
It was established in 1960 and serves 78 countries, where it is the largest provider of essential social services.
Thirty-five countries no longer borrow from IDA, and when a borrowing country later returns as a donor that is treated as a milestone for IDA.
The World Bank Group is made up of five institutions: IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA and ICSID.
IDA combines financing with knowledge and research to help countries reduce poverty, stimulate economic growth and improve living conditions.

Countries served by IDA: 78 Countries that no longer borrow from IDA: 35 Institutions in the World Bank Group: 5

Why it matters for exams: Examiners ask which arm of the World Bank Group lends on concessional terms to the poorest countries, and expect the five institutions of the Group to be named.

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10 October 2026 Source: World Bank, What Is IDA

In plain words

IDA International Development Association — The World Bank arm that gives grants and concessional loans to low-income countries.

IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development — The oldest institution of the World Bank Group, which lends to middle-income and creditworthy governments.

MIGA Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency — The World Bank Group arm that offers guarantees against non-commercial risk to investors.