How World Giving Report blows up common misconceptions about generosity

Generosity is a value that is an aspiration for all peoples throughout the world. And surprisingly, in the recently-released World Giving Report produced by the Charities Aid Foundation, we gain a picture of generosity that blows apart some commonly-held assumptions.

Myth One: The most wealthy countries are the most generous.

This myth is flipped on its head in the report. It is not the wealthiest countries that lead in generosity, but rather the most impoverished.

The report found: “People in high-income countries tend to donate less as a percentage of their annual incomes, giving away just 0.7% on average. This is around half the proportion given in low-income countries, where people donate an average of 1.45% of income.” Of all nations, Nigerians led the way, giving 2.83% of annual income.

Myth Two: Giving is a personal decision.

The report highlights the reality that giving is not usually just an isolated, individual response, but that social norms in the community often influence greater generosity. The top six motivations provided were:

• I felt like I had no choice / felt guilty saying no.
• I wanted to support my local community.
• It’s our duty to give to charity if we can.
• My religion encourages giving.
• I didn’t really think about it, it’s just expected that people will donate.
• I wanted to set an example for others.

Myth Three: Religious giving is declining.

Although giving to religious organizations appears to be in decline in secularized countries like Canada, the report reveals that giving to religious organizations remains a top-five motivator on all continents, except Europe.

Additionally, the report states that “As many as 37% of religious givers only gave to causes that were not overtly religious — showing the extent to which religion inspires giving more widely, such as to poverty relief, homelessness, or humanitarian aid.”

Faith frequently undergirds greater generosity for the common good.

By Mark Petersen, President & CEO, Stronger Philanthropy and author of Love Giving Well, The Pilgrimage of Philanthropy