Immigration Solicitors

A Gallup poll has shown that immigrants in high-economy societies are more likely to give to charities than citizens from that country.

The Adam Smith Institute reports that figures in a Gallup World Poll for 2009-2011 show that in high-income economies (termed “the North”), 44% of those who were native born citizens donated to charity and 27% volunteered for charity work.

However, 49% of long-term migrants from “North” countries who had migrated to “North “countries gave to charity and 23% volunteered – while out of newcomers to the country, 51% donated money to charity and 25% volunteered for charity work.

In migrants who had emigrated from a high-economy country to a middle-income or low-income country (termed “The South”), 34% of newcomers gave money to charity and 27% volunteered for charity work. For long-term North migrants who had gone to live in a “South” country, 25% gave money to charity while 18% volunteered for charity work, compared with 25% and 16% of native born citizens, respectively.

In migrants who went from South to North countries, 34% of newcomers gave to charity and 15% were charity volunteers, compared with 44% and 27% respectively of the native-born population. In long-term migrants the figures were 39% and 21%.

Among migrants from “the South” nations who migrated to another “South” country, 26% of newcomers donated money to charity and 22% were volunteers, compared with 25% and 16% respectively of the native population. Among long-term South migrants, the figures were 17% and 20%, respectively.

The Gallup figures suggest that migrants are keen to contribute to their new communities and bring financial benefits to less well-off communities they integrate with.

In communities where figures are lower for donating and volunteering, it is possible that in low-income communities volunteering and aiding the community may be on an informal level rather than through an organised charity initiative.

In high-income countries, migrants were generally found to be more likely to give money to charity than native citizens, the figures show.

Gallup concluded:

“Migrants’ proclivity toward giving back to their communities can benefit their adopted communities.

“Policymakers would be wise to find out ways to maintain this inclination to give as long as migrants remain in the country.”

Duncan Lewis Immigration Lawyers

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of UK immigration solicitors and can advise migrants from the EU and non-EU countries on a wide range of immigration matters, including right to wok in the UK and student visas.

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• Asylum in the UK & asylum appeals
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For expert legal advice on UK immigration law call Duncan Lewis immigration lawyers on 020 7923 4020.