Nigeria Emerges World’s Most Generous Nation Despite Economic Hardship
Nigeria has been ranked the world’s most generous country, with its citizens donating a larger share of their income to charitable causes than people anywhere else on the globe.
The ranking was announced in the latest World Giving Report released by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), a leading international charity organisation.
The report, based on responses from more than 60,000 people across 105 countries, examined global giving habits and the factors driving charitable donations.
According to the study, 61 per cent of respondents worldwide made donations in 2025, either directly to individuals in need, charities or religious causes, slightly lower than the 64 per cent recorded in 2024.
Globally, people donated an average of one per cent of their income. However, giving patterns varied significantly across regions, with Africans contributing an average of 1.6 per cent of their income, compared to just 0.6 per cent in Europe.
Nigeria topped the global generosity index, with citizens donating an average of 2.8 per cent of their income to charities, religious organisations and people in need.
The report further revealed that the world’s ten most generous countries are all located in Africa and Asia, underscoring the regions’ strong culture of philanthropy despite economic challenges.
CAF Managing Director, Mark Greer, said generosity is shaped by personal values, experiences and circumstances, adding that greater collaboration among individuals, charities, businesses and governments can strengthen communities.
“Giving is deeply personal, based on different factors including values, circumstances and experiences. By understanding these influences and how they appear around the world, we can learn what drives vibrant cultures of giving to support the resilience of civil society.
“We all have a role to play in growing giving. Encouraging conversations—and more importantly, action—by individuals, charities, businesses and governments can help build stronger and more thriving civil societies,” Greer said.
The recognition comes even as Nigeria continues to grapple with rising inflation, high living costs and broader economic challenges, highlighting the resilience and generosity of its people.
