Malcolm Turnbull gives $5 to a homeless man in Melbourne. Credit:Tracey Nearmy An average of 55 per cent agreed with the statement across all nations surveyed. But Australia was above average. Here 62 per cent agreed they had enough troubles of their own to worry about any one else's, 4 percentage points higher than in 2014. Only two nations – the United States and South Korea – had a bigger share with that attitude. Ipsos research director Laura Demasi says the firm's research shows Australian households are feeling under increased pressure to make money and juggle their responsibilities. "It's no wonder we feel we have enough trouble worrying about our own problems rather than worrying about other people," she says. "Our concern for the external world is being crowded out by the many concerns we have about our own lives, about maintaining our standard of living, about earning enough money."

Demasi says higher lifestyle expectations are a big factor. "Our high expectations can set us up for a sense of disappointment and even resentment if we don't reach those expectations," she says. "And if you are concerned about not meeting your expectations you are going to feel anxious, insecure, stressed and like you are falling short." Social justice campaigner Reverend Tim Costello says the willingness of politicians to tell voters they are "doing it tough" even when they are actually doing quite well is helping to turn Australians inwards. Failure of leadership has contributed to a loss of humanitarian perspective and I think it's damaging the Australian soul. Reverend Tim Costello.

"A whole lot of people who shouldn't feel like they are in pain, or they are victims, have heard politicians say they're doing it hard," he said. "Australians have lost perspective and have been led by these political messages to confuse cost of living with cost of a lifestyle ... I think that failure of leadership has contributed to a loss of humanitarian perspective and I think it's damaging the Australian soul." The National Australia Bank's bi-annual charitable giving index, released on Wednesday, suggests people are finding it harder to be generous. The index showed overall giving to charities fell by 1 per cent in Australia during the year to February. That compares with a growth rate of 6 per cent in the year to February 2016 and growth of about 10 per cent in 2013. The latest drop was driven by an 8 per cent downturn in donations to those providing "humanitarian services" – mostly overseas aid organisations like World Vision, Red Cross and Oxfam. There was a similar theme in this month's federal budget. Despite swingeing cuts to foreign aid since 2014 it was hit again. The Australian government's contribution to assisting the world's poorest people is now on track to reach an historic low of just 20¢ for every $100 of national income by 2020-21.