Nigeria has been ranked the most generous country in the world, with its citizens donating a greater proportion of their income to charitable causes than people in any other nation surveyed, according to the latest World Giving Report by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).
According to a report by The Leadership, the global study surveyed more than 60,000 people across 105 countries to assess charitable giving patterns and the factors that influence generosity. The findings showed that Nigerians donated an average of 2.8 per cent of their income to charities, religious causes and individuals in need—the highest proportion recorded globally.
The report comes against the backdrop of persistent economic hardship in Nigeria, underscoring the country’s deeply rooted culture of philanthropy, community support and religious giving despite financial pressures faced by many households. CAF’s research found that 61 per cent of respondents worldwide made financial donations in 2025, a slight decline from 64 per cent in 2024. Globally, people donated an average of 1 per cent of their income, while Africans gave an average of 1.6 per cent, significantly higher than the 0.6 per cent recorded in Europe.
The study also revealed that the 10 most generous countries in the world are all located in Africa and Asia, highlighting the strong tradition of giving across the two regions despite generally lower income levels. Commenting on the findings, CAF Managing Director Mark Greer said generosity is shaped by people’s values, life experiences and financial circumstances rather than by wealth alone. He noted that understanding what drives charitable giving across different societies can help strengthen civil society and encourage greater participation by individuals, businesses and governments in supporting vulnerable communities.
The ranking challenges the common perception that wealthier nations are necessarily the most charitable. Instead, it suggests that countries with strong family ties, community networks and faith-based traditions often demonstrate higher levels of generosity relative to income. For Nigeria, the recognition reflects a longstanding culture in which individuals routinely support extended family members, neighbours, religious institutions and people in need, even during periods of economic uncertainty.
