September 2021
Key findings:
• High poverty, low corruption and a predominantly Christian population are decisive factors in predicting whether the German public supports development cooperation with a specific partner country.
• Development cooperation with countries in Sub-Saharan Africa receives the most support.
• Fragile states that cannot meet their populations’ basic needs are viewed as particularly worthy of support.
• “Food security and agriculture” along with “peace and security” are the sectors that are perceived as most worthy ofsupport.
Development policy requires the support of the general public. Although surveys have revealed that Germany’s population is in favour of state involvement in development cooperation, many people doubt the effectiveness of development policy measures. They also fear that funds may be lost to corruption in the partner countries. In order to help shape public discourse on this topic based on evidence, decision-makers need to know what the public expects from development policy.
