Global philanthropy, remittances, and private capital investment totaled $575 billion in 2010 (latest available data), accounting for 82% of the developed world’s economic dealings with developing countries. American private flows to the developing world increased to $39 billion in philanthropy, $95.8 billion in remittances, and $161 billion in private investment capital. Marking a major recovery for U.S. private capital flows, this important long-term development resource accounts for nearly 50% of the U.S. total economic engagement with the developing world.

Over 80% of all DAC donors’ total economic engagement with the developing world is through private financial flows. Private capital flows remained the largest financial flow from all developed to developing countries and showed positive growth in 2010, reaching $329 billion, which was a substantial increase from $228 billion in 2009.