Africa’s Muslim-majority Nigeria tops global generosity ranking

Egypt, Gulf states, Pakistan and Turkiye feature in top tiers as Western nations lag in CAF World Giving Report 2025

MNTV News Desk

LONDON (MNTV) – Africa’s Muslim-majority country Nigeria has been ranked the most generous nation in the World Giving Report 2025 by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).

Covering 101 countries, the report shows that Africa is the most generous continent, with cultural and religious traditions driving philanthropy more than wealth.

Nigerians donated an average of 2.83% of their income in 2024, the highest worldwide. Contributions were almost evenly divided: 34% directly to people in need, 32% to charities, and 33% through religious giving. 

CAF’s local partner, the African Philanthropy Forum, noted: “In the face of need, regardless of tribe, Nigerians are known to actively display generosity and solidarity — not out of abundance, but necessity.”

Egypt ranked second globally with 2.45%, while Ghana and China tied for third at 2.19%. Kenya placed fifth with 2.13%, making four of the top five countries outside the wealthy Western world.

Among South Asian countries, India ranked joint 7th, donating 1.92% of income — on par with Qatar and the UAE. India is home to a considerable 200 million Muslim community.

Pakistan ranked 17th with 1.64%, placing it ahead of many wealthier countries.

In the wider Muslim world, Turkiye ranked 11th globally, with citizens donating 1.77% of their income, while Bangladesh (13th) with 1.70% also appeared high in the table.

Wealthier Muslim-majority states also outperformed most high-income countries. Qatar and the UAE, each at 1.92%, shared 7th place, while Saudi Arabia ranked 34th with 1.13%.

The report stressed that “Qatar and the UAE bucked the trend” of wealthy nations giving less than 1% of income.

Religious giving, particularly zakat, played a central role, but the study found that religious motivation actually stimulated more diverse donations: 94% of religious givers also supported other causes.

Western countries trail behind

The World Giving Report underscored a striking gap between the Global South and wealthy Western nations.

The United States ranked 46th, with an average giving of 0.97% of income. The United Kingdom ranked 64th, at 0.75%. Germany ranked 100th, giving only 0.39%. France ranked 97th, at 0.45%.

Japan was last at 101st, donating just 0.16%, nearly 18 times less than Nigeria.

Globally, the top causes supported in 2024 were children and young people (29%), poverty relief, religious causes, humanitarian aid, and older people. Nigerians not only gave the largest share of income but also donated to the widest variety of causes, averaging 4.3 per donor.

Volunteering was another major measure of generosity. Qatar ranked first worldwide, with citizens volunteering an average of 27.5 hours per year, while Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, and Malawi also featured among the top 10.

The report confirmed that Africa is the most generous continent, with an average of 1.54% of income donated, compared to the global average of 1.04%. Asia followed at 1.28%, while Europe recorded the lowest with just 0.64%.

CAF researchers stressed that generosity is not simply a product of economic prosperity. Low-income countries averaged 1.45% of income donated, more than double the rate of high-income nations at 0.70%.

“Generosity does not necessarily correlate with wealth or security, but with the perception of necessity and the strength of community,” the report said.

CAF’s Head of Impact and Advisory, Ashling Cashmore, added: “Clarity and transparency about how donations are spent can provide confidence, alongside a clear narrative about how the support is helping to change lives.”