3 in 4 Filipinos donate money, but few give to charities — report

Insider Spotlight:

• 🇵🇭 75 percent of Filipinos donated money in 2024, ahead of global and regional averages
• 💸 Direct giving to people in need trumps donations to charities
• 📊 Filipinos donate 1.46 percent of their income on average—ranking 24th globally
• 👥 Public trust in charities is high, but awareness remains low
• 🕒 Only 26 percent volunteered last year, showing room for growth

A new report shows that three in four Filipinos gave money in 2024, outpacing both the global average of 64 percent and Asia’s 69 percent. But most chose to give directly to individuals or through religious organizations, with institutional charities trailing as the least common donation channel.

The findings come from the World Giving Report 2025 – Philippines Country Report, released by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) and the Association of Foundations (AF).

“We look to the future with hope, grounded on the strength of Filipino generosity,” said AF executive director Oman Jiao.

Why it matters

While the Philippines is often seen as a “giving nation,” this year’s data puts that claim in sharper relief—with Filipinos contributing a higher share of their income than much of the world.

Oman Jiao

​The executive director of the Association of Foundations is optimistic that more Filipinos will donate to charitable institutions going forward.

By the numbers

• 75 percent of Filipinos donated money in 2024
• 1.46 percent of income was given on average—beating the global 1.04 percent and Asia’s 1.28 percent
• 42.3 percent of donations went directly to people in need
• 29.9 percent went to religious causes
• Only 27.7 percent was directed to charities

The Philippines ranked 24th out of 101 countries in terms of donation as a share of income.

Interestingly, the report found that people in lower-income countries donate a greater proportion of income than those in wealthier nations.

Trust isn’t the problem—visibility is

Despite above-average trust in NGOs and foundations, many Filipinos report not knowing where or how to donate. This disconnect may explain the preference for direct giving.

Volunteering trails behind

Only one in four Filipinos (26 percent) volunteered last year, roughly in line with global and regional figures. AF cited structural barriers like long work hours, poor work-life balance, and lack of access to opportunities.

Jiao said the group is pushing for a stronger culture of volunteerism through the Philippine Coalition on Volunteerism, alongside efforts to boost NGO visibility and trust.

— Edited by Daxim L. Lucas