In Germany, charitable giving has reached new heights, with donations totaling €3.2 billion in the first nine months of 2024.
The German Donation Council projects a 2 percent increase in donations by year-end, a notable achievement given the current inflation and economic challenges. The average donation has risen to €38, marking an increase of one euro from last year, and Germans are donating an average of six times per year.
The council’s report states that this “new record highlights the continuous willingness of the population to donate,” with most funds directed toward education, culture, and environmental projects.
A significant portion of donations—nearly two-thirds—comes from the older generation (60 and over). However, younger individuals are also becoming more active in philanthropy, with contributions from those aged 30-39 rising by 24 percent this year.
Despite these positive figures, there is a troubling trend: while the overall donation amount has increased, the number of donors has dropped by 800,000. This decline indicates that while those who donate are giving more, the overall pool of contributors is shrinking.
