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The
responses revealed Ecuador to be the most empathetic country, followed by Saudi
Arabia and Peru. Dark red indicates high empathy, while lighter shades indicate
low empathy. Those pictured in grey were not included, as the sample sizes were
too small
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*Ecuador
was most empathetic country, followed by Saudi Arabia and Peru *Denmark was
4th, followed by UAE, Korea, US, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Kuwait *Lithuania
is least empathetic, seven of the bottom 10 Eastern European
The United States is one
of the most empathetic countries in the world, according to a new study – but
it falls behind Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, and Peru.
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More
than 104,000 people responded, revealing major differences across the globe in
the way people reported their compassion and tendency to see others’ point of
view. The least empathetic country was found to be Lithuania
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Researchers
surveyed more than 104,000 people from 63 countries, measuring their compassion
for others and tendency to imagine others’ point of view.
The
results come as a surprise even to the researchers, who note that some of the
top ranking countries have long been tied to ‘aggression and wars.’
Researchers
from Michigan State University, the University of Chicago, and Indiana
University conducted an online survey to look at empathy on a county-by-country
level.
According
to the team, this is the first study to do this.
More
than 104,000 people responded, revealing major differences across the globe in
the way people reported their compassion and tendency to see others’ point of
view.
Countries
with small sample sizes, including many African nations, were excluded.
The
responses revealed Ecuador to be the most empathetic country, followed by Saudi
Arabia and Peru.
Denmark
was ranked fourth, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Korea, the United
States, Taiwan, Costa Rica, and Kuwait.
The
least empathetic country was found to be Lithuania – and seven out of the
bottom 10 were in Eastern Europe.
With
the Middle East often tied to aggression and war with other countries, the
study’s lead author, William Chopik, says the results were surprising.
This
may have come about because the survey did not distinguish between empathy for
people in other countries, or empathy in one’s own country, they say.
And
according to the researchers, the US may be in the midst of a decline when it
comes to empathy, as Americans have experienced shifting views over the last
few decades.
While
it ranked number seven on the list, they say there may now be more of a focus
on the individual than seen in the past.
A
previous study from the team suggested this may be the result of the rise of
social media, an increase in violence and bullying, changing family practices,
and many more factors.
‘These
changes might ultimately cause us to leave our close relationships behind,’
Chopik, assistant professor of psychology said.
‘People
are struggling more than ever to form meaningful close relationships. So, sure,
the United States is seventh on the list, but we could see that position rise
or fall depending on how our society changes in the next 20-50 years.’
While
the results are the first to look at empathy on this level, the researcher says
they ‘only grabbed a snapshot of what empathy looks like at this very moment,’
as cultures are constantly changing.
‘This
is particularly true of the United States, which has experienced really large
changes in things like parenting practices and values,’ Chopik said.
‘People may portray the United States as this empathetic and generous giant, but that might be changing.’
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