World Giving Report 2026 : French particularities
The first part of the World Giving Report 2026, produced by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) in partnership with the Fondation de France for the French part of the study, provides a new insight into generosity in 105 countries. While monetary donations remain less common in Europe than in other regions of the world, the study confirms that generosity is directed more towards charities than towards religious institutions, along with significant volunteer engagement and a strong demand for transparency.
Based on a survey of 60,443 people worldwide, including 1,035 in France, the “Donor Insights” section of the World Giving Report 2026 measures the average percentage of each respondent’s income donated to charities, religious organisations or directly to people in need.
The results remain generally stable compared to the previous edition. In 2025, 44% of respondents in France reported having made a monetary donation, compared with 46% in 2024. This figure remains below the European average (57%) and the global average (61%).
When they donate, people in France also set aside a smaller portion of their income: 0.4% on average, the same level as the previous year, compared with 0.6% in Europe and 1% worldwide.
Generosity Focused on Good Causes
However, these figures should be viewed with some caution. The gaps do indeed narrow significantly when it comes to providing more specific support to charities. In France, 30% of respondents said they had made a donation to these organisations in 2025, compared with 38% in Europe and 34% worldwide.
Charities thus account for 59% of the total value of donations made in France, far ahead of direct aid to people in need (25%) and donations to religious organisations (15%). This is a French peculiarity, since globally, 41% of the value of donations goes to people in need, 38% to charities and 21% to religious organisations.
“These figures highlight a more secular approach to generosity in France, where contributing to good causes, supporting people in difficulty, the climate, culture, research, and social cohesion in general are the primary drivers,” notes Axelle Davezac, CEO of Fondation de France.
The causes supported remain consistent from year to year. In 2025, poverty relief remains the top priority for donors in France (29%), ahead of humanitarian emergencies (24%) and health and medical research charities (22%).
An Enduring Culture of Volunteering
The report also confirms the special role that volunteering plays in France. As in 2024, 20% of respondents reported having devoted time to volunteer work in 2025. A rate higher than the European average (18%), although it remains below the global average (24%).
However, this behaviour appears to be more prevalent in France than elsewhere. Among those surveyed in France who volunteered in 2025, 14% reported having volunteered at least thirty times during the year, twice the global average (7%).
The study also highlights a disconnect between the causes that receive financial support and those that attract volunteers. While poverty relief tops the list in both cases, the reasons for volunteering are very diverse. Among respondents in France who say they volunteer, 21% are involved in helping seniors, and the same percentage are involved in sports and recreational activities. However, these two causes account for only 6% of people who have made a monetary donation. Conversely, humanitarian aid and health charities attract a much larger share of donors than volunteers.
Transparency: A Key Driver for Increasing Generosity
“Trust is the cornerstone of generosity. The results of this year’s survey confirm it. Donors prioritise supporting charities they know well and place greater trust in those that work closest to the people,” explains Axelle Davezac.
This trust goes hand in hand with high expectations for transparency. When asked what might encourage them to donate more in 2026, 39% of respondents in France cited greater transparency around how the charity is run, and 29% said they would like more information on the concrete impact of the organisation’s initiatives.
“Transparency appears to be a central element in enhancing donor engagement,” says Axelle Davezac. “This is good news. By building trust and demonstrating a real impact, charities can inspire greater generosity and commitment. Even though we live in a divided world, hope endures and there are solutions.”