South & Southeastern Asia

Regional Reviewer: Dana R.H. Doan
Institutional Affiliation: Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Overview

Philanthropy is deeply rooted in the countries included in this South and Southeastern Asia regional report. Although misperceptions abound, there is historical evidence of a strong and enduring spirit of mutual aid and generosity behavior. And, in the latest edition of the Charities Aid Foundation’s World Giving Index, three countries in the region, including Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand, appeared on the top ten list for most generous countries in the world (CAF, 2024).

While the philanthropic spirit is resilient and universal, the nine countries participating in the 2025 GPEI represent considerable diversity in terms of their respective philanthropy environments, ranging from unfavorable to favorable. Overall, between 2021 and 2023, the region showed a modest overall decline in the philanthropy environment. This change is the result of deteriorating conditions in Myanmar and Vietnam, while the philanthropy environments in India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand remained largely stable since the previous reporting period (2018-2020).

Singapore continues to offer the most favorable philanthropy environment in the region; however, the philanthropy environment in Indonesia improved on many factors. Myanmar, Nepal, and Vietnam present the three most challenging philanthropy environments in the region. In these countries, philanthropy organizations faced administrative burdens, restrictions, and broad discretion of government authorities, making it increasingly difficult to register, renew, report, and/or raise funds.

The countries in South and Southeastern Asia experienced some common trends between 2021 and 2023. Across the region, the philanthropic response to COVID-19 recovery efforts and natural disasters was robust and helped underscore the importance of domestic philanthropy. These challenging conditions inspired collaborations among philanthropy organizations as well as between philanthropy organizations and government agencies, even in countries where such collaborations are rare. One lasting impact of the pandemic was the increase in hybrid and virtual work arrangements, reported in every country included in this regional report. One less positive trend was growing government scrutiny over foreign philanthropic inflows, leading to significant delays or reduction of funding for philanthropy organizations.

View the full 2025 GPEI South and Southeastern Asia Regional report:

View South & Southeastern Asia Report