The top 10 most charitable countries, as ranked by the World Giving Index (CAF), reveal a compelling truth about global generosity: wealth doesn’t drive giving—culture does. Here’s a deep dive into each country, revealing the why behind the numbers.
1. 🇮🇩 Indonesia
#1 on the list of the top 10 most charitable countries—for seven years straight.
- Economy & Welfare: Indonesia is a developing nation with a GDP per capita of ~$5,000; approximately 9–10% of citizens live in poverty.
- Charity Stats: 90% donated money, 65% volunteered in the last month.
- Why It Tops: Strong religious obligation (Zakat, Sadaqah), tight-knit communities, and giving as a daily habit—even among the less affluent—drive Indonesia’s continued success.
2. 🇰🇪 Kenya
Ranked #2 in the top 10 most charitable countries .
- Socioeconomic Profile: A middle-income African nation facing various challenges.
- Charity Facts: Around 56% donate and 51% volunteer; a remarkable 82% help strangers raci.org.ar+8cafonline.org+8businessday.ng+8.
- Culture of Solidarity: Kenyan culture emphasizes mutual aid, particularly in rural regions and during times of crisis.
3. 🇸🇬 Singapore
Climbed to #3 in the top 10 most charitable countries en.wikipedia.org.
- Economic Snapshot: High-income city-state with over $65,000 GDP per capita.
- Giving Rates: Generosity index jumped from 49% to 61% year-over-year avpn.asia+3cafonline.org+3prnewswire.com+3.
- Why It Ranks High: Government-led tax incentives (up to 250% deduction) and national volunteer programs have greatly boosted engagement.
4. 🇬🇲 The Gambia
The Gambia places #4 among the top 10 most charitable countries cafonline.org+11idis.org.br+11raci.org.ar+11en.wikipedia.org+9prnewswire.com+9businessday.ng+9.
- National Profile: A low-income West African nation.
- Charity Stats: 61% donate, 45% volunteer, and a standout 78% help strangers businessday.ng.
- Philanthropic Strength: Driven by strong social ties and grassroots altruism.
5. 🇳🇬 Nigeria
Ranked #5 of the top 10 most charitable countries .
- Profile: Africa’s largest economy, yet still grappling with poverty.
- Charity Facts: 45% donate, 53% volunteer, and a striking 81% help strangers .
- Culture of Community: Extended kinship networks foster daily giving and compassion.
6. 🇺🇸 United States
Appears in the top 10 most charitable countries in both donation volume and index rank (#6 by participation) scribd.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1.
- Economic Powerhouse: GDP per capita ~$70,000.
- Giving Metrics: 61% donate monthly, 38% volunteer, and 76% help strangers apnews.com.
- Financial Generosity: Donations totaled $592.5B in 2024, with $374B from individuals en.wikipedia.org+15apnews.com+15barrons.com+15.
- Why It Ranks: Institutional philanthropy, mega-donors, tax deductions, and a mature charitable sector lift the USA to this rank.
7. 🇺🇦 Ukraine
Rising to #7 in the latest top 10 most charitable countries ranking .
- Context: War-driven solidarity and humanitarian response.
- Charity Snapshot: Notable increases in helping strangers, volunteering, and donations.
- What Counts: Civic unity and empathy under crisis push Ukraine high on the generosity index.
8. 🇦🇺 Australia
Appears as one of the top 10 most charitable countries at #8 cafonline.org+2scribd.com+2cafonline.org+2idis.org.brcafonline.org.
- Affluent Society: Comfortable incomes and infrastructure.
- Generosity Stats: Around 66% donate and 40% volunteer cafonline.org+7cafonline.org+7businessday.ng+7.
- Charitable Culture: A tradition of rapid volunteer mobilization during natural disasters.
9. 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Ranked #9 among the top 10 most charitable countries .
- Wealthy Nation: High GDP per capita and extensive government-led philanthropy.
- Why High Rank: Strong volunteer culture and robust religious giving frameworks.
10. 🇲🇹 Malta
Completes the list of the top 10 most charitable countries at #10 .
- EU Member: Small but affluent island nation.
- Charitable Behavior: High rates driven by institutional structures and community-oriented culture.
Why These Top 10 Most Charitable Countries Stand Out
1. Diverse Economies
- The list includes developing countries (Indonesia, Gambia, Nigeria), middle-income nations (Kenya), and wealthy states (USA, Singapore, Australia, UAE, Malta).
- This diversity shows that generosity surpasses economic status.
2. Three Dimensions of Generosity
- Each country excels in donating money, volunteering time, and helping strangers—the core measures of the WGI e.vnexpress.net+3avpn.asia+3en.wikipedia.org+3raci.org.ar+3prnewswire.com+3idis.org.br+3e.vnexpress.net+3scribd.com+3avpn.asia+3.
3. Cultural & Religious Drivers
- Giving is rooted in faith (e.g., Indonesia, UAE, Nigeria), community solidarity (e.g., Kenya, Gambia), or institutional incentives (e.g., USA, Australia, Singapore, Malta).
4. Resilience and Civic Bonding
- Nations like Ukraine show that crisis can unite communities in generosity, creating sudden spikes in compassion-driven behavior.
What the Data Means for Fundraisers
If you’re planning campaigns—especially via platforms like Fundsharing.org—here’s how to use these insights:
- Indonesia, Kenya, Myanmar, Nigeria:
Focus on community, religious messaging, and peer-to-peer outreach among neighbors and friends. - USA, Singapore, Australia, UAE, Malta:
Target higher-value donations, leverage institutional tax benefits, and appeal to formal volunteers. - Gambia, Ukraine:
Use empathy-driven appeals during crises, tapping into communal and international solidarity.
Conclusion
The top 10 most charitable countries span every corner of the wealth spectrum, showing that generosity is universal—uniting the wealthy and the poor through shared human values. Whether it’s the daily giving of Indonesians, the mega gifts from Americans, or the community support in Kenya and Gambia, each country teaches us that true generosity is defined by spirit, not status.
Understanding what makes these nations great helps fundraisers craft campaigns that resonate—across borders and cultures.
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