Abstract

Prosocial preferences and behaviours – defined as those that benefit others – are essential for health, well-being, and a society that can effectively respond to global challenges. Research has therefore focussed on factors that may increase or decrease them. How objectively wealthy an individual is, as well as how subjectively wealthy someone feels, may be crucial in determining prosociality. However, previous studies have often relied on small non-representative samples and/or on a limited range of measures. In addition, experience of precarity (uncertainty in meeting basic needs) could change how wealth correlates with prosociality, yet its impact remains unknown. Using data from 80,337 people across 76 countries, we show that both objective wealth (household income), and subjective wealth (financial well-being), are positively and consistently associated with higher prosociality. Objective wealth was positively associated with altruism, positive reciprocity, donating money, volunteering, and helping a stranger, but negatively associated with trust. Subjective wealth was positively associated with all aspects of prosociality, including trust. Experience of precarity reduced associations between wealth and prosocial preferences yet increased them for prosocial behaviours. These findings could have important implications for enhancing prosociality, critical for a healthy and adaptive society.