For four consecutive years since 2021, Indonesia held the title of “The Most Generous Country in the World” according to the World Giving Index (WGI) by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). Even before that, since 2017, Indonesia had rarely been dislodged from the top spot.
However, the latest World Giving Report 2025 (WGR 2025) brings different news. For the first time in eight years, Indonesia has been knocked off the top position, now ranking 21st out of 101 countries surveyed.
Does this mean Indonesians are no longer generous? The answer, it turns out, is not that simple.
A New Methodology That Reshapes the Global Generosity Map
WGR 2025 is essentially an evolution of WGI, but with more detailed and comprehensive measurements. While the previous WGI only measured three aspects—how often people donate, help others, and volunteer—this time the indicators are far more extensive.
There are now 14 assessment indicators, divided into two categories:
Monetary Donation Category
- Percentage of the population who donate
- Percentage of income donated
- Donations through fundraising campaigns
- Donations for religious activities
- Direct donations to individuals or families
- Donations for disaster relief (domestic and international)
- Self-assessment of personal generosity
Social Engagement Category
- Percentage of the population who volunteer
- Average hours spent on volunteer work
- Trust in fundraising organizations
- Perceived importance of philanthropy in society
This new method does not only look at how often people give, but also how much they give relative to their income and through which channels the donations are made.
Who Tops the List?
Under the new formula, developing countries dominate the top rankings. First place goes to Nigeria, whose citizens donate an average of 2.83% of their per capita income. It is followed by Egypt (2.45%) and two countries tied for third place: Ghana and China (2.19%).
Interestingly, five of the top ten countries are from Africa. The continent is now recorded as the most generous region, with an average donation of 1.54% of residents’ income. In contrast, Europe ranks the lowest, with an average of only 0.64%.
Indonesia’s Position on the Global Generosity Map
Indonesia now ranks 21st, with an average donation equivalent to 1.55% of income. This figure remains above the global average (1.04%) and surpasses neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
A distinctive feature of generosity in Indonesia is the tendency to give directly to those in need, alongside donations to charities and religious organizations. Indonesians also tend to contribute to three to four different causes at once, such as poverty alleviation, child protection, and humanitarian aid.
Although its ranking has fallen, Indonesia still has strong foundations: a deeply rooted culture of gotong royong (mutual cooperation), as well as social and religious motivations that encourage participation. The challenge lies in updating regulations and offering tax incentives for donations so that this potential can be fully maximized.
Interesting Facts from WGR 2025
- Motivations for giving: 65% driven by social concern, 31% by moral obligation, and 29% by religious reasons. Donors motivated by religion tend to give twice as much.
- Forms of donation: 40% directly to individuals, 36% through charities, and 24% to religious organizations.
- Volunteer activity: 26% of the world’s population volunteered in 2024, averaging 9 hours per person. Africa leads with 14 hours 30 minutes, while Europe is the lowest at 6 hours 30 minutes.
- Government support: In 42 countries that actively promote philanthropy, the average donation amount is 1.7 times higher.
The 25 Most Generous Countries in WGR 2025
- Nigeria – 2.83%
- Egypt – 2.45%
- Ghana – 2.19%
- China – 2.19%
- Kenya – 2.13%
- Uganda – 2.04%
- United Arab Emirates – 1.92%
- Qatar – 1.92%
- India – 1.92%
- Malawi – 1.80%
- Türkiye – 1.77%
- Vietnam – 1.72%
- Bangladesh – 1.70%
- Tanzania – 1.69%
- Sierra Leone – 1.67%
- Côte d’Ivoire – 1.67%
- Sri Lanka – 1.64%
- Pakistan – 1.64%
- Zambia – 1.62%
- Rwanda – 1.56%
- Indonesia – 1.55%
- Ethiopia – 1.51%
- Botswana – 1.48%
- Philippines – 1.46%
- Algeria – 1.43%
