From 20th to 98th: PH ranking drops in World Giving Index 2023

For the sixth year, Indonesia ranks 1st in the World Giving Index 2023 while the Philippines ranks 98th among 142 countries worldwide. (Screengrab from the World Giving Index 2023 Report)

MANILA, Philippines — Have Filipinos become less generous last year?

They have, according to the World Giving Index 2023 which survey conducted in 2022 revealed that the Philippines ranked 98th in terms of generosity.

The latest standing of the Philippines in the World Giving Index was the lowest it has ever been as the country placed 20th in 2021, 65th in 2020, and 33rd in 2018.

READ: PH among most generous countries in 2021 — World Giving Index

World Giving Index 2023 polled 147,186 people from 142 countries and asked them key questions related to donating money, helping a stranger, and volunteering time for an organization.

The Philippines had a median score of 34, which is lower than the global average of 39.

The report likewise disclosed that among its adult Filipino respondents, 57 percent or more than half said they helped a stranger, 34 percent said they have volunteered to an organization, and 12 percent said they have donated money to charity.

The result of the World Giving Index 2023 came against the backdrop of a recent Social Weather Stations survey showing that 30 percent of Filipinos say their quality of life worsened in the past 12 months.

READ: 41% of Filipinos think their quality of life unchanged in 12 months – SWS

Philippines’ neighbor Indonesia topped World Giving Index 2023 with a median score of 68. Indonesia has been touted as the most giving in the global generosity survey for six straight years now.

Ukraine trailed Indonesia with a score of 62 followed by Kenya with as score of 60. Liberia and the United States tied on the next spot as both scored 58 in the world giving polls.

Based on the World Giving Index 2023, Ukraine was 2022’s “highest climber” among the countries surveyed because it added 13 points from its score in 2021

The world’s least giving in the 2023 report was Poland, garnering a median score of 15.

READ: Keep giving!

Each country’s index score and global ranking are calculated by averaging positive responses – a higher score shows more people in that country are involved in giving, the report noted.

The World Giving Index is conducted by the Charities Aid Foundation, a “charity operating in the UK [United Kingdom] and internationally.”

“The 2023 Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) World Giving Index gives us reasons for hopeful optimism against a backdrop of global instability,” CAF’s Chief Executive Neil Heslop said.

READ: Life-giving and love-giving

“It shows that the increased generosity we saw as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic was broadly maintained at a global level. That means that almost three-quarters of humanity did something to help others in the course of 2022,” he added.

Heslop called on governments to make it easier for their citizens to display generosity.

“This year we are calling on governments to do more to support those who can give money and time and to foster vibrant, engaged civil society organizations, which are dealing with social and environmental challenges and the fallout from conflict and displacement,” the CAF chief executive said.