Kenya has been ranked the second most generous country globally in the latest World Giving Index 2024. The report, published by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), paints a powerful picture of generosity worldwide, even in the face of economic, humanitarian, and environmental crises. It shows that the East African nation is leading the way in fostering a culture of giving, volunteering, and supporting strangers.
The World Giving Index is one of the largest studies on global giving behavior. It draws insights from over 145,000 people across 142 countries, representing more than 95% of the world’s population. The 2024 edition highlights Kenya as a beacon of generosity, where more than 8 out of 10 adults reported helping a stranger in the past month.
East Africa’s Spotlight on Generosity
Kenya scored 63 points in the index, placing it just behind Indonesia, which has held the top position for seven consecutive years. This is not just a regional success but a global one, showcasing the importance of community, compassion, and civic responsibility in East African societies.
Kenya’s rise to second place is particularly significant given the country’s economic challenges, inflation, and social inequalities. Despite these hurdles, the people of Kenya continue to offer their time, money, and assistance to those in need.
According to the report, 82% of Kenyans said they helped a stranger in the previous month, one of the highest percentages globally. Additionally, 56% donated money to charity, and 52% volunteered their time. These figures highlight Kenya’s strong culture of informal giving and community support.
A Regional Culture of Helping Others
Kenya is not alone in its generosity. The report shows a strong pattern of giving across the African continent, especially in West and East Africa.
Other African countries ranked high in various aspects of giving. Nigeria came in fifth overall, with 81% of respondents saying they helped a stranger. Liberia, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone also appeared among the top ten nations for helping strangers.
This pattern shows that African communities are deeply rooted in mutual aid and support, especially in times of need. These traditions have existed for generations and continue to shape how people respond to social and economic pressures.
A Global Rise in Giving
Globally, the World Giving Index reached one of its highest scores since it began in 2010. In 2023, an estimated 4.3 billion people gave their time, money, or helped someone they did not know—representing 73% of the world’s adult population.
Volunteering rates remained stable, while the number of people donating money increased. The percentage of people who helped a stranger also rose, making 2023 one of the most generous years on record.
The results reflect how communities across the world continue to respond to crises—be they economic, natural, or humanitarian—through acts of kindness.
Lessons from Other Countries
The report also looked at countries like Singapore, which climbed 19 places to third place. This rise is largely credited to government initiatives such as tax relief on donations and corporate volunteer schemes.
Singapore’s experience shows that policies supporting giving can lead to significant changes in public behavior. In 2023, 68% of Singaporeans donated money, while 40% volunteered their time. The government’s support played a big role in encouraging this civic engagement.
While Kenya’s generosity is largely driven by community culture and informal networks, the Singapore example highlights how formal support systems can also boost giving.
Philanthropy in Crisis
The World Giving Index 2024 also focused on how communities respond during times of crisis. Morocco, for instance, saw an 800% increase in donations following the earthquake that struck in September 2023. In one year, the percentage of people donating money jumped from 2% to 18%.
Volunteering also doubled in Morocco during the same period, showing how disasters can spur immediate and widespread acts of generosity.
These findings emphasize the need for long-term support systems. As Brooks Reed from CAF America noted, local communities often rally to respond in the aftermath of disasters, but damaged civil society structures can limit their ability to recover and rebuild. Supporting community resilience is critical for the future.
East Africa’s Moment of Reflection
Eastern Africa, as a region, scored an average of 41 points, just above the global average of 40. Kenya’s performance has significantly pulled up the regional average, showcasing its leadership role in the region.
Uganda, another East African country, scored 38 points overall, with 69% of adults saying they helped a stranger. However, only 25% donated money and 18% volunteered, indicating areas where efforts can be improved.
Tanzania, on the other hand, scored 33 points. While 54% of Tanzanians reported helping a stranger, only 32% donated money, and just 13% volunteered their time.
These statistics suggest a strong base of goodwill across East Africa, but also highlight the need for more structured support to turn spontaneous generosity into sustained impact.
What Can Be Done?
The World Giving Index 2024 includes several recommendations for governments, funders, and civil society organizations:
- Governments should make it easier to give by offering tax incentives, ensuring fair regulation of civil society, and supporting cross-border donations
- Funders should focus on building local giving infrastructure that continues even after aid ends.
- Civil society organizations must build trust by being transparent and involving communities in decision-making. They are also encouraged to tie their work to global goals like the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In the African context, these recommendations are especially timely. With many African countries facing shrinking civic space and limited philanthropic infrastructure, governments and development partners need to do more to support and promote local giving.
Celebrating Africa’s Giving Spirit
Kenya’s performance in the World Giving Index is a reminder that Africa, often portrayed in terms of need, is also a continent of givers.
From informal giving within families and communities to formal donations and volunteering, African societies demonstrate a strong commitment to helping others. These traditions are vital to the survival and resilience of communities, especially where formal services are lacking.
As global attention turns to building more inclusive and resilient societies, Africa’s example provides important lessons. Philanthropy does not only happen through large foundations or international organizations—it is also lived every day by ordinary people helping their neighbors.
A Call to Action
The World Giving Index 2024 offers more than just rankings—it is a call to recognize and support the power of everyday generosity.
For East African countries, especially Kenya, the results are a moment of pride and reflection. They show what is possible when people come together to support each other. But they also raise important questions: how can this generosity be sustained? How can governments, civil society, and donors work together to build a stronger culture of giving?
As East Africa continues to grow and face new challenges, nurturing this spirit of giving will be essential. Kenya’s example shows that the continent is not just waiting for help—it is already leading the way.
About the World Giving Index
The World Giving Index is published annually by the Charities Aid Foundation. It surveys people from around the world about three key acts of giving:
- Have you helped a stranger in the past month?
- Have you donated money to a charity?
- Have you volunteered your time to an organization?
Each country receives a score based on the average of responses to these questions. A higher score indicates greater engagement in giving behaviors.
In 2023, the report surveyed 145,702 people in 142 countries, covering over 95% of the global population. The data was collected through Gallup’s World Poll.
Kenya’s place as the second most generous country in the world sends a powerful message. In a time marked by crises and global uncertainty, the Kenyan spirit of giving shines brightly. It’s a story not just of generosity, but of resilience, community, and hope—one that East Africa, and indeed the world, should celebrate and learn from.
