Kazakhstan outpaces many developed countries in generosity, reports Ranking.kz. The Charities Aid Foundation notes that Kazakhstani residents donate an average of 1.2% of their income to charity. This achievement places the country 30th worldwide — ahead of the U.S., Japan and Russia.
This achievement is highlighted in the World Giving Report 2025, which ranks countries based on surveys conducted in 101 nations. The key metric is the percentage of income individuals donate. Notably, the report finds a consistent trend: the higher a person’s income, the smaller the share they typically give to charity.
The world’s most generous countries
Expanding on the rankings, developing nations with lower income levels dominate the top of the list. For instance, Nigeria (2.8%), Egypt (2.5%), Ghana and China (2.2% each) lead the way. High-income countries, by contrast, tend to donate a smaller share. In Germany, for example, the average donation rate is 0.4%, while in Switzerland, it is 0.7%, even though both are among the world’s wealthiest nations.
Looking further down the list, Russia ranks 75th with an average donation rate of 0.7%. The U.S. is 46th, with residents giving about 1% of their income. Japan ranks last — 101st overall.
Why are lower-income nations more generous?
The report highlights that in Africa, 72% of people donate money or volunteer, compared with 69% in Asia, 59% in Europe and 56% in North America. In Asia, 44% of donors contribute through charitable foundations, while 42% prefer direct aid or volunteer work.
People in Asian countries are most likely to help the poor (36%) and contribute to humanitarian aid (34%). Donations to children’s causes, support for the elderly and giving to religious organizations round out the top five priorities.
