Nigeria has been ranked the world’s most generous country by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), according to its latest World Giving Report, which measures charitable giving across the globe.
The report surveyed more than 60,000 people in 105 countries to examine global giving habits and the factors that encourage generosity.
According to the findings, 61 percent of respondents made donations in 2025, either to individuals in need, charities, or religious causes. While this represents a slight decline from 64 percent recorded in 2024, the report found that charitable giving remains strong worldwide.
Nigeria topped the global rankings, with citizens donating an average of 2.8 percent of their income to charitable, religious, and humanitarian causes. Across Africa, the average donation stood at 1.6 percent of income, significantly higher than Europe’s 0.6 percent.
The report also noted that the world’s ten most generous countries are all located in Africa and Asia, highlighting a strong culture of giving despite economic challenges in many of these nations.
Speaking on the findings, Mark Greer said generosity is shaped by people’s values, experiences and circumstances.
“Giving is deeply personal. By understanding what drives generosity around the world, we can help build stronger communities and encourage greater participation from individuals, charities, businesses and governments,” he said.
Generosity Despite Economic Challenges
The recognition comes at a time when many Nigerians continue to grapple with rising living costs, higher transportation expenses, and inflation following recent economic reforms.
Despite these financial pressures, Nigerians have continued to support family members, religious organisations, neighbours and vulnerable people, reinforcing the country’s longstanding culture of generosity and communal support.
The report has also generated widespread reactions on social media, with many users describing generosity as one of Nigeria’s defining cultural values. While some praised Nigerians for always helping others despite economic hardship, others questioned whether the ranking would translate into any direct economic benefits for the country.
