15% of World Heritage sites at risk due to funding shortages in 2025
A new report reveals that 15% of natural World Heritage sites face serious risks due to insufficient funding. The 2025 World Heritage Outlook highlights financial instability as a growing threat to these globally significant locations. Many of these sites lie in countries already struggling with high debt levels, making conservation efforts even harder to sustain. The World Heritage Convention was created to protect cultural and natural landmarks recognised for their Outstanding Universal Value. These sites often form a core part of national identity and support sustainable development. Yet, with 58 countries now at high risk of or already in debt distress, securing funds for their upkeep has become increasingly difficult.
Foreign aid, a key source of support, dropped by 23% in 2025, leaving many sites without adequate resources. Despite this, the convention offers a framework for financial assistance, including low-interest or interest-free loans tailored for conservation. Governments can also use World Heritage governance to coordinate policies and funding across different sectors. Debt-for-nature swaps have already shown promise in easing financial pressures while delivering conservation results. In Seychelles, Belize, and Ecuador, such agreements have helped protect World Heritage sites while reducing national debt. The World Bank and other multilateral institutions can structure similar deals, ensuring measurable outcomes for both nature and fiscal stability. Financing needs at these sites are clear and can be deployed quickly, supporting climate action plans and biodiversity strategies. With nearly every country hosting at least one World Heritage site—except for 26 nations—the potential to mobilise funding through these assets remains significant.
The 2025 report underscores the urgent need for sustainable financing to protect at-risk World Heritage sites. Debt-for-nature swaps and targeted financial instruments could provide a lifeline, particularly in countries facing economic strain. Without intervention, these globally important locations may continue to deteriorate, affecting both cultural heritage and long-term development.
