Asian philanthropic giving projected to reach US$1.5 trillion

New research and reports indicate a significant rise in philanthropic activity across Asia. The Commission on Asian Philanthropy projects that giving in nine Asian jurisdictions will reach US$1.5 trillion over the next decade.

Research from The Bridgespan Group, supported by the Gates Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation, highlights that approximately 94 percent of Asia’s wealthiest families are first- or second-generation wealth holders. Most of these families, roughly 95 percent, maintain control over the businesses that generated their wealth, which often influences their philanthropic strategies.

In Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust reported contributing approximately 1.8 percent of the city’s GDP during the 2024-25 financial year. Experts note that philanthropy is becoming increasingly vital as governments face complex challenges including demographic shifts, technological disruption, and climate change.