Budget & Strategy

Last update: March 9, 2022
UNESCO is committed to transparency.

The Financial Reports and Audited Financial Statements provide the Organization Financial performance. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) since 2010 and the External Auditor expressed an unqualified (clean) opinion on the financial statements for each year end reports. Further information on budget and audit outcomes are also available in this section.

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UNESCO adopts a budget on a two-years basis. The official documentation is available here.

For the first time in 2018, UNESCO budget is based on an integrated budget framework, which allows greater transparency and alignement of resources.

In 2018, the amount of arrears and total debt from non-member states to the organization is over 624 million US$

UNESCO approved budget 2022-2023 (1en)

Adjusted budget as of December 2021, 1,5 billion US$ (before adjustement, including needed fundraising)

Access detailed Financial statement here

UNESCO approved budget 2022-2023 (2en)

Adjusted budget as of December 2021, 1,5 billion US$ (before adjustement, including needed fundraising)

Access detailed Financial statement here

UNESCO approved budget 2022-2023 (3en)

UNESCO STAFF AT A GLANCE

As of June 2021, UNESCO employs 2 293 staff Members. 51 % of the staff work in the field and in Category 1 Institutes. 64% of UNESCO staff are on Regular programme funds.

UNESCO Staff (June 2021)

UNESCO's Budget in Detail

The Programme and Budget for 2018-2021 (40 C/5  Approved) covers the last quadrennium of the Medium-Term Strategy for 2014-2021 (37 C/4). It focuses on UNESCO’s contribution to implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and pursuit of its two global priorities – Africa and gender equality.

It also reflects the importance of the principles of the 2030 Agenda: universality; inclusivity; the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities; fostering peaceful and inclusive societies; addressing the expectations and needs of the least developed countries, small island developing States, and young people; and providing support to countries in crisis, conflict and disaster situations.  

In particular, it centres our work on access to quality education for all on an equal footing, the development of science, technology and innovation, the promotion of cultural heritage and cultural diversity, and freedom of expression – elements that are vital for the development of peaceful knowledge societies.

41 C/5 Approved programme and budget 2022-2025: first biennium 2022-2023
UNESCO
2022
UNESCO
0000380868
Medium-Term Strategy for 2022-2029 (41 C/4)
UNESCO
2022
UNESCO
0000378083
Financial statements 2020
UNESCO
2021
UNESCO
0000380230
Financial statements 2019
Financial statements 2018
Financial statements 2017
Financial statements 2016
UNESCO Basic Texts
UNESCO
2020
UNESCO
0000372956