Millennium Challenge Corporation Selection Criteria and Methodology Report for Fiscal Year 2027
Published Date: 10/9/2026
Notice
Summary
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is sharing how it picks countries for aid in 2027. They explain the rules and steps for choosing who gets help, whether it’s their first time or a follow-up. Countries and the public can comment until November 9, 2026, so everyone has a say before decisions and funding are finalized.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Scorecard pass rules and hard hurdles
To be considered passing the FY 2027 scorecard, a candidate country generally must pass at least 11 of 22 indicators, must pass the Personal Freedom indicator (minimum score 25 out of 60), and must pass either the Control of Corruption indicator or the Government Accountability indicator (Government Accountability minimum score 17 out of 40). Many other indicators use the median score within each income group as the passing threshold, and the Inflation indicator requires a recent annual change in consumer prices of 15 percent or less to pass.
Statutorily‑prohibited countries excluded from assistance
MCC identifies a list of statutorily-prohibited countries for FY 2027 that are excluded from assistance. The notice lists 13 statutorily-prohibited countries including Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, South Sudan, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and Chad.
Rules for subsequent compact selection
MCC will consider a country for a subsequent compact only starting 18 months before the existing compact's end date. To be selected, a country must (1) demonstrate successful performance on previous compact(s), (2) show improved policy performance on scorecard criteria during the partnership and pass the scorecard in the year of selection, and (3) show commitment to further sector reform.
Which countries MCC will evaluate
MCC published the full lists of candidate countries it will evaluate for FY 2027 and the income groups used to compare peers. For FY 2027, countries are grouped by gross national income (GNI) per capita into: (1) $2,225 or less; (2) $2,226 to $4,635; and (3) $4,636 to $8,105. The notice lists 45 countries in the $2,225-or-less group, 26 countries in the $2,226–$4,635 group, and 33 countries in the $4,636–$8,105 group.
Threshold program eligibility for reforming countries
MCC will consider countries for the threshold program when they show a significant commitment to meeting scorecard requirements but do not yet meet them. The Board will consider whether a country appears to be on a trajectory to become viable for compact eligibility in the medium or short term when deciding on threshold assistance.
Criteria for concurrent compacts tied to regional integration
MCC may enter into one additional concurrent compact with a country under section 609(k) if the compact supports regional economic integration, increased regional trade, or cross-border collaboration. A precondition is that the Board determine the country is making "considerable and demonstrable progress" in implementing the existing compact and supplementary agreements.
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