New Study Reveals That 81% of the World Population Is Calling Upon Billionaires to Contribute More to Charity – Especially During COVID-19 Pandemic

AMSTERDAM, Wednesday, April 29, 2020 – In results released today by research agency Glocalities and international advocacy organization Global Citizen, a global survey reveals that 81% of the world population is calling upon billionaires to contribute and help close the financing gap for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – including healthcare for all. Conducted earlier this year in 25 countries among 26,786 people, the survey results are more urgent than ever now that the world is in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Glocalities Research Director Martijn Lampert says: “There are more than 2,000 billionaires worldwide, who have immense financial means that can make the difference in assisting governments and health workers fight the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences. Now the world population calls upon them to show their true colors and step in to save lives. Health workers, citizens, governments and international organizations cannot overcome the current crisis alone. All talents are needed for supporting society and ensuring a sustainable future. The time has come for billionaires to make a positive difference and pay their fair share.’’

In response to the global pandemic, Global Citizen launched an urgent campaign, culminating in a historic global broadcast called One World: Together At Home—in support of the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization, powered by the UN Foundation. The campaign, which focuses on increasing resources and support for frontline health workers around the world, has announced $127 million in commitments to date. As a part of that campaign, Global Citizen has called on philanthropists to join and support immediate COVID-19 response efforts. Investors, changemakers and foundation leaders are being urged to actualize their giving and invest quickly in related efforts like stronger health systems and vaccine development.

Health, poverty and development are closely related. Nine out of 10 people who support the World Health Organization call upon billionaires to contribute. WHO supporters do not only prioritize healthcare for all, but also the related SDGs clean water and sanitation, ending poverty, quality education and climate action.

The call for more billionaires to step up comes at a time when public financing is facing increasing strain in response to COVID-19. The resulting economic crisis also demonstrates how dependent economic growth is on global health and development.

Billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg, Giorgio Armani and Jack Dorsey are already stepping up in a big way in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. Among the Chinese population, there was a rise in the appeal of billionaire philanthropist and Alibaba founder Jack Ma from 59% to 64% amidst the lockdowns, due to his financial contributions and efforts for providing medical equipment and developing a vaccine in countering the pandemic.   

Quote from Chris Stadler, Board Chair, Global Citizen: “The billionaires in the world are worth a combined total of $10 trillion. Their wealth is greater than that of 60% of the world’s population. This survey demonstrates the collective desire shown globally for them to step in and help, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. People like Jack Dorsey are stepping up and giving big and it’s inspiring. Global Citizen is on a mission to work with these high-net-worth individuals to help close the $350 billion gap needed annually in order to achieve the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.” 

The survey also found that 46% of people globally say that billionaires should contribute by making voluntary donations (philanthropy) and 35% say that billionaires should pay a wealth tax for funding sustainable development. Younger and higher educated people globally are more in favor of voluntary donations by billionaires. The study concludes that mobilizing the “social rich’’ is the key and a first step for ensuring progress. This group not only includes billionaires, but a larger group of affluent and influential people globally, including millionaires, celebrities, public officials, and leaders of NGOs, companies and communities.  

Kevin Rudd, 26th Prime Minister of Australia, and board chair for The International Peace Institute (IPI): “Now, more than ever, we need to stand behind the Sustainable Development Goals. This crisis has reminded us that we are all global citizens. This means that everyone must do more - and not just governments - to support the work of those seeking to achieve the SDGs, including critical institutions like the WHO. The efforts of individuals like Bill Gates and Jack Ma should serve as an example to others.”

About the survey:

The annual Glocalities survey was conducted online in 25 countries between January 23 and March 13, among 26,786 people. The representative survey was held in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, UK, USA and Vietnam. These countries together cover 62% of the world population and represent 83% of the world economy. The surveys were conducted through the online research panels of Dynata, a fieldwork provider that is specialized in conducting international fieldwork around the globe. Quotas were set beforehand and the datasets were weighted according to national census data.

The full survey report can be downloaded at:
www.glocalities.com/latest/reports/billionairescontributing.