Quantitative Findings
Worldview Quantitative Survey
The Worldview public engagement research project is a longitudinal study tracking Irish attitudes towards international development cooperation and official development assistance (ODA). Since 2020, it has built a robust evidence base that reveals not only what the Irish public believes about global issues and ODA, but also the motivations, influences, and barriers shaping these views. By providing comprehensive annual data and audience insights, Worldview equips NGOs, civil society, media, and government with the knowledge needed to engage effectively, counter misinformation, and safeguard civil society space. Ultimately, it ensures that public engagement efforts are targeted, informed, and responsive—so that when we speak about ODA, we know who we are speaking to and how best to reach them.
Explore the different Waves of research below to learn about Irish public attitudes toward development, their views on key socioeconomic issues, and the agile ‘Part B’ topic, which changes with each Wave. Use the Worldview Dashboard on the ‘Overview’ page to visually compare year-on-year trends across Waves, and visit the ‘Segments’ page to examine Worldview’s audience segments, which provide detailed insights into the views of distinct cohorts and highlight the importance of segmentation in shaping effective public engagement strategies.
Worldview Wave 6
The 6th Worldview survey results are in
The Worldview Wave 6 survey ran from 23 June– 25 July 2025 among a nationally representative sample of 2,002 Irish adults to gauge their awareness and attitudes towards overseas development aid.
This is the first wave of Worldview research in the project extension. From January to June of 2025, Worldview underwent a significant redesign phase to ensure all research components remain as salient and impactful as possible. The governance framework was refreshed, the results and reporting structures were revised, and the survey design was reviewed. As part of this, the Worldview questionnaire was consolidated to improve focus and clarity, which you’ll see reflected in the results.
Part B: Shifting Geopolitical Landscape
Given the significant cuts in aid, trend towards cutting aid in favour of defence spending, moving to more transactional models, and increasing international instability, this year’s agile ‘Part B’ topic explores Irish attitudes to shifting geopolitical trends – specifically exploring reactions to international aid cuts, perceptions of Ireland’s role in peacebuilding and neutrality, and gauging concerns around mis- and disinformation, as well as the rise of far-right narratives.
Explore the topline results in the ‘Wave 6 Infographic’ or view the full findings and download the results below.
Key Worldview Findings
Worldview Wave 5
The 5th Worldview survey results are in
The Worldview Wave 5 survey ran from 1 July – 12 August 2024 among a nationally representative sample of 2,515 Irish adults to gauge their awareness and attitudes towards overseas development aid.
Part B: Irish Perceptions of INGO Imagery
Wave 5 also included novel research investigating the responses of the Irish public to debranded images used by Dóchas members in their communications, advocacy, fundraising, and educational campaigns. This research took the form of a survey and six focus groups which took place around the country with different Worldview segments.
You can explore the main Wave 5 results below. The Wave 5 Imagery research decks are below, and further insights can be found under the ‘Further Resources’ tab.
Key Worldview Findings
Audience Segments – Demographic Overview
73% believe it is important that the Irish Government provides overseas aid, down from 76% in 2023
75% of people agree that overseas development aid can bring about positive change for those living in developing countries
67% of people in Ireland are concerned about the levels of poverty in developing countries. This is the lowest level since research began.
Human rights, shared humanity and humanitarianism are the top 3 most important reasons to help those in developing countries
The main perceived causes of poverty in developing countries are Government and Private Sector corruption, war and conflict, and Government inefficiency or incompetence
TV, newspapers/press and radio are the most frequently used sources for news and information
Greatest Influence on views and opinions on key issues
Worldview Wave 4
The 4th Worldview survey results are in
The Worldview Wave 4 survey ran from 17 October – 13 November 2023 among a nationally representative sample of 2,515 Irish adults to gauge their awareness and attitudes towards overseas development aid.
Part B: The Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Change
The Part B of Wave 4 related to awareness and understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals and the impacts of climate change amongst the Irish public. Overall, low levels of SDG knowledge and awareness were recorded, and climate change impacts seem to be a distal problem in the eyes of the Irish public.
View the key findings and download the results below.
Key Worldview Findings
Audience Segments – Demographic Overview
76% believe it is important that the Irish Government provides overseas aid,
up from 74% in 2022
77% of people agree the overseas development aid can bring about positive change for those living in developing countries
70% of people in Ireland are concerned about levels of poverty in developing countries
Human rights, shared humanity and humanitarianism are the top 3 most important reasons to help those in developing countries
The main causes of perceived poverty in developing countries are Government and Private Sector corruption, war and conflict, and Government inefficiency or incompetence
TV, newspapers/press and radio are the most frequently used sources for news and information
Greatest Influence on views and opinions on key issues
Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Change
Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Change
Worldview Wave 4
The 3rd Worldview survey results are in
The Worldview Wave 3 survey ran from 4 October – 7 November 2022 among a nationally representative sample of 2,501 Irish adults to gauge their awareness and attitudes towards overseas development aid.
Part B: Cost of Living Crisis and the War in Ukraine
The survey also included a new section related to the impact of the war in Ukraine and the costs of living crisis on Irish attitudes to aid.
View the key findings and download the results below.
Key Worldview Findings
Audience Segments – Demographic Overview
74% believe it is important that the Irish Government provides overseas aid,
down from 77% in 2021
Concern around levels of poverty in developing countries
Human rights, shared humanity and humanitarianism are the top 3 most important reasons to help those in developing countries
The main causes of perceived poverty in developing countries are Government and Private Sector corruption, war and conflict, and Government inefficiency or incompetence
TV, newspapers/press and radio are the most frequently used sources for news and information
Greatest Influence on views and opinions on key issues
Ukraine & Cost of Living Analysis
Worldview Wave 2
The 2nd Worldview survey results are in
The Worldview Wave 2 survey ran from 20 October – 2 December 2021 among a nationally representative sample of 2,026 Irish adults to gauge their awareness and attitudes towards overseas development aid.
The survey included a new section containing a variety of messages/statements to test how messages are resonating and landing with the Irish public and to gain insight into how we communicate development in the current context.
View the key findings and download the results below.
Key Worldview Findings
Audience Segments – Demographic Overview
77% believe it is important that the Irish Government provides overseas aid
Human rights, shared humanity and humanitarianism are the top 3 most important reasons to help those in developing countries
The main causes of perceived poverty in developing countries are Government and Private Sector corruption, war and conflict, and Government inefficiency or incompetence
TV, newspapers/press and radio are the most frequently used sources for news and information
Top messages by audience segmentation
Worldview Wave 1
The first Worldview research results are in
The Worldview Wave 1 survey ran from 6 January – 5 February 2021 among a nationally representative sample of 3,008 Irish adults to gauge their awareness and attitudes towards overseas development aid.
Worldview Wave 1 created baseline findings on Irish attitudes towards development and aid. This Wave also researched what were drivers of support for overseas aid and donations.
Here you will see the key findings with the full report available for download below.
Key Worldview Findings
75% of respondents to the survey are concerned about levels of global poverty
79% believe overseas development aid can help bring about positive change for those living in developing countries
80% agree overseas aid improves people's lives by providing access to education, healthcare, clean water and sanitation, ranking these three issues as the most important priorities for Irish Government support on overseas aid, respectively.
77% of respondents feel it is important that the Irish Government’s provides overseas development assistance (ODA); 31% advocated for an increase in ODA spending; 21% proposed a decrease; and 43% felt the ODA budget should remain the same.
Human rights (53%), shared humanity (42%) and humanitarianism (40%) ranked as the top drivers of individual support for global development while sympathy, religion and pity ranked lowest
Developing country government and private sector corruption (45%), war and conflict (39%) and government inefficiency and incompetence (31%) ranked highest as the main drivers of global poverty
Drivers of Support for Overseas Aid and Donations Report
