A majority of Americans (61 percent) said they feel that compassion has decreased over the last four years, yet compassion-related online searches have skyrocketed by 4,000 percent over the past five years, a report from the Muhammad Ali Center finds.

According to The 2025 Compassion Report (38 pages, PDF), respondents claimed that empathy toward marginalized groups has decreased, as only one in three Americans feel compassion for all groups of people, with respondents showing the lowest compassion levels for people who have been convicted of crimes, migrants who are in the United States illegally, and people in higher socio-economic classes. The inaugural report identified five layers of compassion: for self, individuals, groups, local area, and nation, and noted that that self-compassion is the foundation of all compassion.

The report also shared its Net Compassion Score (NCS), which found that cities with a higher NCS perform better in fostering: mental health, housing, and community programs; active civic participation structures with strong communication systems; and leadership that prioritizes inclusive community development. According to the report, 61 percent of people who are proud of their city perceive it as compassionate, and when asked who makes the most significant difference in creating compassionate cities, people ranked business leaders (8 percent) and big companies (6 percent) at the very bottom of the list. Conversely, nearly two-thirds of respondents indicated they prefer to learn about compassion from “everyday people” rather than political leaders, social leaders, or experts.

“The 2025 Compassion Report holds up a mirror to society, challenging us to reflect on who we are and how we show up for one another,” said Muhammad Ali Center president and CEO DeVone Holt. “The findings are urgent and timely, and it is also encouraging—reminding us that while compassion is at risk, it’s also something we can strengthen if we choose to act with awareness.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Vladimir Vladimirov)