Global Giving Index 2024: The image of the helpful and generous Swiss takes a big hit!

Switzerland is one of the most prosperous countries in the world. But how generous are we in our country? A ranking gives an overview of the most miserly and least helpful peoples.

He who has much can also share. And those who are well can help. This is the basic idea, but in reality this is not always the case, as proven by the World Giving Index of the British Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).

The assessment focuses on three main points: willingness to help foreigners, willingness to donate and voluntary activities in a country. Since 2010, the CAF has published an updated ranking every year based on data from the American market and opinion research institute Gallup.

The result is a list of 142 countries and a glimpse into the bounty of their respective cultures.

Switzerland obtains an average result. But there is one thing in particular that the Swiss are very reluctant to do: when it comes to helping others.

Switzerland is one of the least helpful countries

The big leader is the Asian island state of Indonesia, which has already topped the World Giving Index several times in the past. Indonesians are particularly good at giving and volunteering. When it comes to willingness to help, however, they fail to make it into the top ten, where Kenya ranks first. Next come Bangladesh and Nigeria.

However, in the general overview, Indonesia leads with a World Giving Index of 74. Switzerland comes in 65th place with 42 points. In our country, 54% of respondents reported donating money, but only 27% volunteered and 45% helped others.

Japan and Poland bring up the rear of the general ranking. In both cases, the percentage of people who donated money is less than 20%. In comparison, top-ranked Indonesia donated money at 90%.

With this ranking, CAF also wishes to appeal to governments to facilitate donations and encourage the creation of strong civil society organizations. We believe that willingness to donate and community engagement could be increased in many countries.