Supporters of international aid outnumber opponents by nearly four to one

Key Findings:

Many are for helping aid groups. An average of 50% are in favor of their government providing financial support to international humanitarian aid organizations. Around one in eight (13%, 31-country average) oppose their government giving financial support to aid groups

Strong support outstrips opposition. Just over one in five 21%  strongly support this, compared with 13% who oppose their government giving money to international aid groups.

Indonesia most supportive. The strongest support is shown in Indonesia which leads with 70%, followed by Italy (58%) and China, Saudi Arabia, Poland (57% each); while the lowest level of support is recorded in Japan (30%). On the other hand, the highest opposition appears in Great Britain (21%), France (20%) and Türkiye (19%), while the lowest opposition is recoded in Indonesia (6%).  

Generational consensus. Support is fairly steady across the generations (Generation Zers*, 51%; Millennials, 49%, Generation Xers, 48%; Baby Boomers, 49%).

Lending a helping hand

These are tough times for many, but many are still open to helping others.  

Half (50% on average globally) are in favor of their government providing financial support to international humanitarian aid organizations, while 13% are opposed and 27% are neutral.

"Importantly, the 27% who remain neutral present a valuable opportunity – assuming they are a 'moveable middle' With effective communication strategies, genuinely relevant to these individuals' concerns and aspirations, they can be engaged to build an even broader consensus for this cause,” says Hana Baronijan, Service Line Leader, Ipsos Public Affairs.

Going beyond the headlines

While it may seem like there has been a big backlash against national governments helping to fund international humanitarian aid, the reality is that only 6% (on average globally) strongly oppose this.

For example, while U.S. President Donald Trump has been an outspoken critic of some international aid efforts half (50%) of Americans support their government funding aid groups, in line with the global average, and 15% oppose this which is also essentially in line with the 13% global average opposed.  

"With the onset of unprecedented budget cuts in international humanitarian aid — from the U.S. administration to various European governments — understanding public sentiment becomes crucial," says Baronijan. "Our data illustrates a clear consensus, with half of people across 31 countries supporting government expenditures on humanitarian aid, starkly outweighing the opposition."  

* Generations are categorized as follows: Generation Z (born 1996 onwards), Millennials (born 1980 – 1995), Generation X (born 1966 – 1979), and Baby Boomers (born 1945 – 1965). 

Report Authors

• Hana Baronijan, Service Line Leader, Public Affairs, Switzerland
• Celine Perroud, Associate Client Service Director, Public Affairs, Switzerland
• Camilla Savoldi, Senior Research Executive, Public Affairs, Switzerland
• Dominick Meyer, Research Manager, Public Affairs, U.K.
• Marcus Burke, Client Service Director, Public Affairs, Switzerland