Additional Context: As reported by Devex, a former USAID employee utilized LinkedIn to conduct an informal survey of global development professionals affected by the cuts to USAID. Within 10 days, 725 global development professionals responded. Of these, 38% were former USAID direct-hire employees, 33% had worked for implementing partners and 15% were contractors. The sample was largely composed of more senior-level professionals, with 65% of those who responded having 15 or more years of experience.

As described, one survey respondent described “homelessness and lack of healthcare insurance with a cancer diagnosis.” Another wrote, “Both my husband and I lost our jobs. 25 years in the sector. His advertising career was also gutted by AI at the same time. No healthcare, five years from Medicare."

Devex Researcher Note: As noted in the article and by the survey creator, the data sample is largely self-selected and the quantitative findings are directional, not representative. Nonetheless, this information provides a reference point for the ongoing effects to the livelihoods of global development professionals affected by the USAID cuts.

Source: Devex