The CAF World Giving Index, now in its sixth year, is a leading authority on global generosity. By measuring three different kinds of giving, it provides a simple and universally understood picture of charitable behaviour across the world.

The CAF World Giving Index is scored by averaging the percentage of people in each country who donated money, volunteered or helped a stranger in the previous month. For this year’s report 145 countries were surveyed, representing around 96% of the world’s population.

This year there are encouraging signs that, despite continuing economic uncertainty, people are more willing to donate money. Young people especially are participating more in all three kinds of giving than any other age group. 

What are the key findings?

• Myanmar, the United States and New Zealand are the top three in the CAF World Giving Index 2015.
• Participation in donating money and helping a stranger has risen this year, whilst volunteering has seen a small downturn.
• For the first time in six years of the World Giving Index, we’ve found that men are more likely to donate money than women.
• Behaviour in a few very large countries has significantly impacted the numbers of people giving worldwide.
• Cultural and religious practices, as well as disruptive events, are at the root of a number of big changes seen this year.
• Despite their highly developed economies, only five G20 countries are in this year’s Top 20, reminding us that economic prosperity does not automatically lead to a rise in generosity.

For more information on how CAF helps charities and donors visit https://www.cafonline.org.