During the six-year period of the PAHO Strategic Plan 2020–2025 (SP), three program budgets were implemented, covering the bienniums 2020–2021, 2022–2023, and 2024–2025. Member States approved a total budget of US$2.35 billion, of which 85% supported base programs and the remainder financed special programs and emergencies. PAHO secured 99% of the approved funding and achieved an overall implementation rate of 93%, reflecting strong execution across the period.

Budget levels expanded significantly in 2022–2023 in response to the COVID‑19 pandemic, driven largely by a temporary surge in emergency and special program financing, before declining in 2024–2025 as funding returned to more typical post‑pandemic levels. Base program budgets grew steadily across all bienniums, supporting sustained technical cooperation, while special programs showed greater volatility due to their reliance on earmarked and emergency-related funding.

PAHO Program Budgets across SP 2020-2025: Overview of Budget, Funds Available, and Implementation 

(US$ million)

Dark shades: Base Programs
Lighter shades: Special Programs

Financing of Base Programs by Outcome Cluster 

Overall financing of base programs improved steadily across the Strategic Plan period, increasing from 77% of approved budgets in 2020–2021 to 92% in 2024–2025. While most outcome clusters experienced stronger funding over time, financing levels varied considerably by cluster and biennium, reflecting differences in resource mobilization, reliance on earmarked voluntary contributions, and, in some cases, ambitious budget levels. Persistent funding gaps remained in Noncommunicable Diseases and Risk Factors and in Health Emergencies, whereas Communicable Diseases and several other clusters maintained relatively strong financing. Leadership, Governance, and Enabling Functions exceeded approved budgets in the latter biennia, largely due to capital investments supported through the Master Capital Investment Fund.