Nigeria named world’s most generous country despite rising hardship, new global report reveals

Nigeria has been ranked the world’s most generous country in the latest World Giving Report released by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), a development that has sparked widespread reactions online considering the country’s current economic challenges.

According to the global study, Nigerians donated an average of 2.8 per cent of their income in 2025 to charities, religious causes and individuals in need, placing the country ahead of 104 other nations surveyed.

The report was based on responses from more than 60,000 people across 105 countries and found that Africa recorded the highest average level of charitable giving by income.

The ranking has drawn attention because it comes at a time when many Nigerians continue to battle rising living costs, higher transport fares and inflation following recent economic reforms.

Report highlights generosity despite economic pressure

CAF said 61 per cent of respondents worldwide made donations in 2025, slightly lower than the previous year. The foundation also noted that the world’s 10 most generous countries are all located in Africa and Asia.

Managing Director of the Charities Aid Foundation, Mark Greer, said, “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.”

The report comes months after the World Bank estimated that about 140 million Nigerians were living below the poverty line in 2025, highlighting the contrast between widespread economic hardship and the country’s strong culture of giving.

Nigerians and others react to global ranking

The announcement has generated mixed reactions on social media, with many users saying generosity has always been part of Nigerian culture despite financial difficulties.

Some praised Nigerians for their willingness to support family, friends and strangers, while others questioned whether religious donations largely influenced the country’s top ranking.