Annual Statistical Report on UN Procurement

The United Nations procures goods and services from suppliers all over the world to support its activities and operations. Procurement statistics have been collected from organizations in the United Nations system and reported together since 1984 through the Annual Statistical Report on United Nations Procurement (ASR). 

This UN Procurement Data portal provides access to the latest procurement statistics, including information on United Nations organizations’ efforts to integrate sustainability considerations into their procurement processes, through interactive data dashboards as well as the report itself.

The Annual Statistical Report on United Nations Procurement is produced by UNOPS on behalf of the United Nations.
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This report marks a significant milestone – the 40th year of the United Nations system reporting data on its procurement activities.

Highlights of UN Procurement - 2023

Total UN procurement reached $24.9 billion - $4.7 billion or 15.7 per cent less than the previous year. Despite the decline, 2023 marked the third-highest year for UN procurement on record. The same 32 UN organizations reported in 2023 as in 2022. 

The health sector accounted for the largest share of UN procurement in 2023, making up one-fifth of the total volume. Procurement in this sector reached $4.8 billion, primarily driven by procurement of pharmaceuticals, contraceptives and vaccines, as well as medical equipment and supplies.

Procurement in the Construction, Engineering and Science sector reached $3.5 billion in 2023, making it the second-largest sector. The UN's ongoing focus on global infrastructure development and scientific projects continues to keep procurement levels high in this sector.

Food and Farming was the third-largest, with UN procurement reaching $2.7 billion in 2023. A significant portion of this spending addressed immediate hunger needs and supported long-term food security initiatives worldwide.

In 2023, the UN sourced goods and services from suppliers in 218 different countries and territories. 

Asia emerged as the largest region for UN procurement in 2023, reaching a total of $7.9 billion. Procurement from suppliers in Europe was only $40 million lower, totalling $7.8 billion.

Africa, representing one-fifth of the global total, remained the third-largest region of UN procurement, with a total of $5.1 billion.

Procurement from least developed countries (LDCs) reached $5.0 billion in 2023. The share of procurement from such countries in the global total increased from 15.7 per cent in 2022 to 20.1 per cent in 2023. 

In addition, UN organizations recorded procurement from suppliers in 32 landlocked least developed countries (LLDCs) and 50 small island developing states (SIDS). Procurement from such countries totalled $3.5 billion in 2023.

Similarly to the past two years, all UN organizations used collaborative procurement approaches, recording a total of $1.1 billion in 2023.

UN organizations continued to prioritize sustainability in procurement. In 2023, 24 out of 30 organizations reported the inclusion of environmental, social and economic considerations in their procurement – 2 more organizations compared to 2022. These organizations accounted for a significant portion of UN procurement, representing 95.9 per cent or $23.9 billion of the total spend in 2023. An additional four organizations reported inclusion of at least two sustainability dimensions in their procurement. 

More detailed analysis can be found in the 2023 report and explored through the interactive data dashboards.