Study on global donation readiness: These are the most generous and stingiest nations

Does prosperity extend the willingness to help the needy? A study by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has investigated this. The results of the long-term survey show something surprising: especially in countries where there is great distress according to the United Nations' latest poverty report, the willingness to give is often particularly high.

This becomes clear in the top rankings. Unexpected is less the top placement of the US , but rather the number two in the ranking, Myanmar . The gross domestic product of the troubled country is still below that of countries like Cambodia or Sudan.

The survey asked about 1.3 million people in 126 countries over a ten-year period how much they donate to charity, how often they help strangers in emergencies and how much they volunteer. First, the "world" had reported on the results of the CAF report.

Above all, current and formerly communist-governed states performed particularly poorly. In last place is China. Only 11 percent donate there for other people. By comparison, in Myanmar, 81 percent say they support others with their money.

The reasons for Chinese restraint are manifold: The Chinese state offers little tax advantage for donors.

The study also cites the Confucian tradition as the reason. This does indeed intend to support its fellow human beings - but only as long as they belong to their own circle.

African countries occupy front seats

The picture is different in African countries. They ranked first in the CAF ranking in the category of helping strangers, with Liberia in first place and Sierra Leone in second place. Other African countries such as Kenya, Zambia, Uganda, Nigeria and Malawi are among the top ten.

The analysis of the Charities Aid Foundation explains the Ubuntu philosophy practiced in many parts of Africa, which is based on cooperation and mutual support, as an explanation for the result.

Germany ranks 18th in the ranking. According to the survey, about half of the citizens donate money or help other people in need - one in four volunteers.