Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — For the seventh consecutive year, Indonesia has been recognized as the world most generous country, according to the 2024 World Giving Index (WGI) published by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). This accolade, which Indonesia has held since 2017, highlights the nation’s consistent culture of philanthropy and its people’s unwavering commitment to helping others.
Record-Breaking Generosity
Indonesia’s top-ranking position is attributed to its exceptional performance in key indicators such as monetary donations, volunteering time, and helping strangers. The report states that 90% of Indonesians donated money to charitable causes in the past year, while over 60% volunteered their time or helped others in need.
The Charities Aid Foundation, a UK-based philanthropic organization, conducted the survey across 145,000 participants in 142 countries. Indonesia scored 74 out of 100, surpassing other leading nations such as Kenya (63 points) and Singapore (61 points). The country has shown a steady rise in generosity over the years, with its WGI score increasing from 59 in 2018–2019 to 69 in 2020–2021, maintaining its position as the world leader.
Cultural and Religious Foundations of Generosity
Indonesia’s generosity is deeply rooted in its cultural and religious values. The traditional concept of gotong royong—or mutual cooperation—plays a significant role in fostering collective action and a spirit of giving. This cultural norm is evident in how communities come together to address social and humanitarian needs.
Religious practices also drive much of the country’s charitable activities. The majority-Muslim population actively participates in zakat (almsgiving), infak, and sedekah (voluntary donations). These practices are integral to Islamic teachings and contribute significantly to humanitarian assistance on local and global scales.
According to CAF’s report, Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, demonstrates unique characteristics in generosity:
“While civil participation and life satisfaction vary, religious donations remain a significant factor contributing to the region’s high levels of giving.”
Programs managed by organizations like BAZNAS (National Amil Zakat Agency) further bolster these efforts, ensuring that aid reaches millions in need.
A Global Benchmark in Philanthropy
Indonesia’s dominance in the WGI is even more striking when compared to global averages. While 73% of people worldwide engage in charitable activities, Indonesia far surpasses this figure, setting a benchmark in generosity. Other nations, such as Kenya and Liberia, excel in specific areas, like helping strangers, but fall behind in overall scores compared to Indonesia’s balanced performance across all indicators.
A Message to the World
As the most generous nation, Indonesia showcases how a blend of cultural traditions and religious values can inspire widespread philanthropy. Its example serves as a model for other nations seeking to cultivate generosity and social solidarity.
Whether through small acts of kindness or large-scale contributions, Indonesia’s commitment to helping others reflects a deeply ingrained ethos that the rest of the world can admire and learn from.
(Becky)
