Transparency and solidarity motivate the Swiss Abroad to be generous

The Swiss Philanthropy Foundation and the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), SwissCommunity, commissioned gfs.bern to conduct a survey to better understand the generosity of the Swiss Abroad. The focus was on the individual values of the Swiss Abroad and their connection to Switzerland, but also on their giving behaviour and motivation to donate.

The 2019 federal elections and subsequent analyses have shown that the voting behaviour of the Swiss Abroad goes beyond the left-right cleavage and is part of a deep, value-based attachment to Switzerland. This observation motivated the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation to commission a survey from gfs.bern. They wanted to investigate whether the bond between the Swiss Abroad and Switzerland is also reflected in a commitment to the community, be it through financial contributions, donations of material goods or donations in the form of time or knowledge.

Between 26 June and 26 July 2023, a total of 2,583 Swiss Abroad residing in 123 countries around the world took part in the survey.

The survey shows: Almost all Swiss Abroad donate. Only 6 per cent of respondents say they have never donated in the last three years, and over half of the participants donate regularly. On average, the Swiss Abroad support one or two organisations a year, each with an amount of between CHF 50 and CHF 499. In addition, around three quarters of them value philanthropy highly. Nevertheless, only 9 per cent of the Swiss Abroad have made a donation to an organisation in their testament.

When asked what motivates them to donate, the Swiss Abroad most frequently mentioned the exact knowledge of the purpose and use of the donation as well as the basic value of solidarity. This is in line with the Swiss population within the borders. The same motivations can be found in the Donation Report 2022 by Swissfundraising and Zewo (find it here in German), which analyses the donation behaviour of the Swiss. Furthermore, a strong philanthropic family tradition, and thus extensively a connection to a Swiss tradition of generosity, increases the likelihood of donations among the Swiss Abroad in the survey. The main reason why they decide not to donate is the uncertainty as to whether their donation will be put to good use. 

According to the survey, the Fifth Switzerland donates most frequently for the fight against poverty and for social justice as well as for humanitarian measures and development aid. Among the current issues and crises, the war in Ukraine has mobilised this population group the most. Over two-thirds of respondents donate in their country of residence, while just over 10 per cent donate in Switzerland. The survey showed that generosity is firmly anchored among the Swiss Abroad: more than 90 per cent of respondents are committed to making donations to the community, around 10 per cent of them directly in Switzerland. The willingness of the Swiss Abroad to donate is guided by the typically Swiss values of solidarity and transparency and is thus also an expression of their attachment to Switzerland.

Link to the survey cockpit (in German)