Examination of the Effectiveness of United States Foreign Aid on Human Development in United Nations Least Developed Countries: An Empirical Study

Abstract

The aim of this article is to examine the effectiveness of United States (U.S.) foreign aid on human development in United Nations (U.N.) Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Research Design and Methods: Research of peer reviewed studies on effectiveness of U.S. foreign aid support to U.N. LDCs were conducted using ProQuest and Google Scholar databases. A select literature review of keywords is offered to elucidate understanding of current perspectives. The study approach is based on empirical evidence. This study employs a set of multivariate linear regression models to examine the effects of U.S. foreign aid on health, education, and social services on the Human Development Index (HDI) in LDCs from 2000 to 2020. Findings: The findings show that U.S. foreign aid for health sectors significantly impacted HDI in LDCs for the time period under review. Evidence Limitation/Implications: An important limitation is highlighted by the need for increased research on other variables identified per the HDI. Discussion: The results of this study suggest that U.S. foreign aid has had a positive effect on the achievement of human development goals in the health sectors of LDCs. Past research has linked improved human development outcomes with increased economic development which contributes to the sustainable development of a society. The significance of these findings warrants further research regarding the contribution of U.S. foreign aid to positive human development outcomes and economic growth. Contribution and Value: This article extends contribution and value to LDCs growth and sustainability by providing empirical evidence of the effect of U.S. foreign aid on the U.N. LDCs.