UAE Leads in Global Charitable Efforts
Residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continue to excel in global charitable activities, according to the latest international survey by Gallup. The data shows that residents of the Emirates perform significantly above average in various forms of assistance, reflecting the region's strong sense of community and solidarity.
Outstanding Donation Willingness
According to the survey, 52 percent of UAE residents donated money to charity last year, well above the global average of 33 percent. This figure is particularly noteworthy, although it shows a slight decrease compared to previous years.
Charitable activities intensify especially during the holy month of Ramadan, traditionally considered a period of giving. During this time, charitable organizations collect increased donations for humanitarian purposes both domestically and internationally. Authorities encourage residents to donate through registered charities to ensure that contributions are used for appropriate causes.
Initiative by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Recently, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, as well as Ruler of Dubai, announced the launch of the "Fathers' Foundation" campaign. This initiative offers people the opportunity to donate in their father's name, promoting the values of respect for parents, compassion, and solidarity.
The program also aims to strengthen the UAE's leadership position in the field of charitable and humanitarian work and to further consolidate the concept of charitable foundations.
Helping Strangers
Sixty percent of UAE residents, exceeding the global average, provided assistance to strangers or people they did not know but who needed help last year. However, this rate is lower than in the past five years.
With the population of the Emirates growing in recent years, many new immigrants are arriving to settle. Hosting over 200 nationalities, the country is home to more than eight million foreigners living in a peaceful and cohesive atmosphere. Additionally, millions of tourists visit the country monthly.
In 2024, 56 percent of adults worldwide reported helping strangers, a decrease of six percentage points compared to 2023.
Volunteering
More than one-third of UAE residents, 37 percent, said they volunteered for an organization in the past year, compared to the global average of 26 percent.
"The global state of charity has changed in 2024. All forms of charitable donation have seen significant declines worldwide. Despite these recent setbacks, the overall level of giving remains higher than a decade ago, indicating a long-term upward trend in global generosity," Gallup concluded.
The United Arab Emirates remains a global hub for charity and humanitarian aid, where the culture of social solidarity and generosity is deeply embedded in the values of both local and immigrant communities.
