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Nigeria has been ranked the world’s most generous nation in the latest World Giving Report by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). 

According to the study, Nigerians donate an average of 2.8 per cent of their income to charities, religious causes, or directly to people in need — the highest proportion globally. The report also shows that the ten most generous countries are located in Africa and Asia.

The CAF report, based on insights from more than 60,000 people across 105 countries, is the leading global study on generosity and civil society. It explores how people give, what motivates them, and the impact of belonging to a community.

Globally, 61 per cent of people donated last year, down slightly from 64 per cent in 2024. On average, donations accounted for 1 per cent of income, though regional differences are stark: Africa leads with 1.6 per cent, compared to 0.6 per cent in Europe.

The most generous age group worldwide are 25–44 year olds, who give twice as much of their income as those over 55 (1.2 per cent vs 0.6 per cent). Religious causes remain the most popular, supported by 31 per cent of donors, followed by children and youth initiatives (29 per cent) and poverty relief (29 per cent).

According to the report, globally, people are much more likely to support charities that work locally (56 per cent) or nationally (55 per cent) than those that work across many countries (22 per cent). However, donors in higher-income countries, such as those in Europe, give a larger share to charities that work in many countries than donors in lower-income countries do.

CAF Managing Director Mark Greer noted that giving is “deeply personal,” shaped by values, circumstances, and community ties. He urged individuals, charities, businesses, and governments to foster cultures of generosity to strengthen civil society.