In the World Giving Index 2023, Tanzania is ranked 117th out of 142 countries globally, with a World Giving Index score of 30.
Tanzania's position on the World Giving Index shows room for improvement, particularly in fostering a culture of volunteerism and community assistance. In comparison to its East African neighbors, especially Kenya, Tanzania ranks lower in terms of generosity, as measured by helping strangers, donating money, and volunteering time.
Tanzania’s Position in East Africa:
Tanzania’s Position in Africa:
Helping a Stranger:
In the category of helping a stranger, Kenya stands out with an impressive 76% of adults reporting that they assisted someone they didn’t know in 2022. This high level of engagement reflects a strong sense of community and willingness to offer immediate support to others, even outside one's social circle. Uganda follows closely with 70% of adults helping strangers, indicating a similar cultural inclination towards altruism. In contrast, Tanzania lags behind, with only 46% of adults engaging in this behavior. This significant gap suggests that while Tanzanians do participate in helping others, the practice is less prevalent compared to their East African counterparts.
Donating Money:
When it comes to donating money, Kenya once again leads with 53% of adults contributing financially to charitable causes. This demonstrates a robust culture of monetary giving, which could be linked to strong traditions of philanthropy or community support systems in Kenya. Tanzania and Uganda show similar levels of participation in this area, with 33% and 32% of adults respectively donating money. These figures indicate that while financial giving is present in both countries, it is less widespread than in Kenya. The near parity between Uganda and Tanzania in this category suggests that economic factors or cultural attitudes towards money might influence donation behaviors similarly in these nations.
Volunteering Time:
Volunteering time is where the most striking differences emerge. In Kenya, 51% of adults reported volunteering their time to an organization, showcasing a deep commitment to community service and civic engagement. Uganda, while lower, still maintains a significant level of participation with 36% of adults volunteering their time. In stark contrast, Tanzania's rate is much lower, with only 12% of adults involved in volunteering. This substantial gap suggests that volunteerism is far less embedded in Tanzanian society compared to its neighbors, which could be due to a variety of factors including economic constraints, lack of opportunities, or differing cultural values related to time and community involvement.
Tanzania’s relatively low ranking on the World Giving Index highlights underlying economic challenges and suggests a need for focused efforts to improve social and economic conditions. By encouraging greater participation in charitable activities, Tanzania could enhance community support systems, which are essential for sustainable economic development. This improvement would not only benefit the social fabric of the nation but also contribute to broader economic growth and stability.
Economic Implications of Tanzania’s Generosity Ranking:
Tanzania's lower position on the World Giving Index, ranked 117th globally with a score of 30, suggests potential challenges in its economic and social development. The comparatively low rates of volunteering (12%), helping strangers (46%), and donating money (33%) indicate that Tanzanians may face economic constraints that limit their ability to engage in charitable activities. These activities are often associated with disposable income and social stability, and lower participation rates can reflect economic hardships or limited access to resources.
Comparative Economic Development in East Africa:
When compared to Kenya and Uganda, Tanzania's lower scores in all three giving behaviors point to differences in economic conditions and social structures. Kenya, ranked 3rd globally, exhibits a strong culture of giving, with significant participation in helping strangers (76%), donating money (53%), and volunteering time (51%). This robust engagement suggests a more developed economy where citizens have greater capacity and resources to contribute to charitable causes. Uganda, though ranked lower than Kenya, still surpasses Tanzania in all giving behaviors, indicating a more engaged civil society and possibly a better economic environment that supports such activities.
Broader Economic Context within Africa:
Tanzania’s position within Africa, particularly when compared to countries like Kenya, Liberia, and Nigeria, which rank much higher, underscores the economic disparities between these nations. Liberia, despite its lower economic development, ranks 4th globally, which may be attributed to cultural factors or a strong community-based support system. Tanzania’s lower ranking suggests that economic development may not be evenly distributed across its population, leading to lower overall engagement in giving activities.
Implications for Economic Policy:
The data suggests that there is room for Tanzania to improve in fostering a culture of volunteerism and community assistance. Enhancing these aspects could contribute positively to the country's social cohesion and economic development. To achieve this, Tanzania might need to focus on creating economic opportunities that increase disposable income, investing in social infrastructure that encourages community involvement, and promoting policies that support charitable activities.