The global landscape of major donations is showing promising signs. This is revealed by the latest report from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF, October 2024), which highlights—with both satisfaction and renewed astonishment—the positive impact of the commitment and empathy demonstrated by individuals with economic means toward others who, for various reasons, lack them.
This positive trend, reflecting an increase in global generosity, was quantified by researchers through the evaluation of three key behaviors that provide a clear and eloquent measure of human empathy: engaging in volunteer work, helping or assisting a stranger or neighbor in need, and donating. The latter encompasses not only financial contributions but also donations of clothing, essential household items in good condition, and staple food products.
The index produced by the research team, which measured the solidarity evident in these human behaviors, yielded encouraging results. Moreover, this in-depth study—focused on an often-overlooked aspect—is, to date, one of the largest surveys ever conducted in the field of philanthropy and major donations. A total of two million people participated by completing detailed questionnaires and taking part in interviews centered on the qualitative aspects of their giving experiences. The following section summarizes the most relevant findings of this study.
The Rise of Donations in an Increasingly Individualistic World
According to data gathered by CAF, the number of people who acted with solidarity in 2024 was remarkably high. This translates into tangible commitment—donating money for relief and charity work and extending a helping hand to those in need, whether strangers or neighbors facing hardship.
Globally, this means that more than 3.5 billion people in 2024 helped someone they did not know. Comparatively, this represents an increase of roughly 500 million dollars in direct financial aid compared to the peak of the pandemic years. Additionally, the study revealed that another 200 million people contributed to charitable NGOs worldwide, with donations rising by 10% across the most prosperous economies.
For the current year, 2025, the report will once again be conducted on a global scale, this time encompassing data on altruistic behaviors in 119 countries—a significant total representing slightly more than 90% of the world’s adult population. Following the same approach, respondents will be asked three key questions: whether they have donated money, helped a stranger, or participated as volunteers in a social cause. Simple yet comprehensive questions that, according to the research team, capture the essence of empathic and altruistic behavior.
The Most Anticipated Results: The Global Generosity Index
- The country that, to the researchers’ surprise, ranked as the most generous, altruistic, and empathetic in the world was Indonesia.
- Kenya, in East Africa, secured second place in global solidarity.
- The United States ranked third among major donors.
- Australia took fourth place.
- New Zealand came in fifth.
Other notable results include Canada, which placed eighth, while England underperformed expectations, ranking seventeenth among the world’s most generous nations. Ukraine was a remarkable surprise, demonstrating an exceptionally high level of empathy and solidarity by achieving tenth place in the CAF Index. The war-torn country climbed 20 positions compared to the previous year and is now among the top ten globally—the only European nation to reach this distinction so far.
Argentina’s Standing in the Global Survey
Argentina performed excellently in the survey. The country’s innate generosity earned it the 21st position in the global empathy and solidarity ranking. In the specific category of helping a stranger, Argentina ranked 12th; in monetary donations, it came in 56th; and in volunteer participation, it reached 24th place. Overall, the more than 190 countries assessed demonstrated a strong willingness to help and a genuine commitment to the well-being of global society.
Let us celebrate every form of help—and encourage generosity to keep growing even more.
