Jamaica ranks #1 for most likely to help strangers

Jamaica has emerged as the global leader in altruism, securing the top spot for its citizens’ willingness to assist strangers, as revealed in the World Happiness Gallup Report 2025. The Caribbean nation is closely trailed by Liberia and Sierra Leone, both of which also exhibit remarkable levels of generosity toward unfamiliar individuals. However, despite their commendable acts of kindness, these countries rank significantly lower in terms of charitable donations, with Jamaica, Liberia, and Sierra Leone positioned more than 80 places behind in global charity contribution rankings. The report identifies a similar trend in Nigeria and Kenya, which also feature in the top 10 for helping strangers but struggle with financial contributions to organizations. These nations, along with Jamaica, grapple with issues of institutional trust, particularly in their interactions with law enforcement, which often results in a diminished reliance on formal systems. This phenomenon underscores a broader societal pattern: in regions where institutional frameworks are perceived as unreliable or inaccessible, individuals tend to seek support from one another rather than from formal entities. In Jamaica and similar contexts, generosity transcends mere moral obligation, evolving into a tangible manifestation of trust and solidarity among neighbors and strangers alike. This preference for personal, human-centered assistance over formal charitable mechanisms highlights the unique social dynamics at play in these societies.