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Ethiopian people are generous, rooted in their strong religious and cultural backgrounds, with direct support following these traditions. The data shows that religious giving is predominantly higher (70%) compared to the global average (33%), reflecting the depth of faith and cultural values. Giving to support close family members also emerges as a significant cause, while the people also contribute for charity works.
The proportion of income from the people of Ethiopia directed to charity is similar to the global average (0.3%), while giving to religious causes is much higher (0.7%). This highlights a potential opportunity to channel religious motivations into broader charitable giving. Charities operating at the local level enjoy greater trust, as they are embedded within communities, and thus receive a higher proportion of income compared to national or sub-regional organisations. This aligns with localisation principles, which accelerate community-led and community-prioritised philanthropic activities through locally mobilised resources.
The report further reflects that 54% of respondents are aware of the positive impact of charities in their local communities. Opportunities for change are significant, as digitalisation enhances the visibility and reach of charitable work, creating wider awareness. However, there remains a need for clarity on how to effectively engage people in local giving.
Strengthening engagement requires a range of activities — from demonstrating how people's contributions make a difference, to recognising and celebrating those who support charitable work. For Development Expertise Center and similar organisations working closely with communities, the findings highlight strong potential to raise resources locally. Religion and culture can serve as effective entry points, while expanding opportunities and simplifying pathways to giving will help nurture and sustain a stronger culture of philanthropy.
How often did you give money away in 2025, either to charity, a person or family in need, or to a religious organisation?
The average proportion of income people gave to each of the three donation routes, and overall.
What would you say are the main reasons that you gave / did not give money away in 2025?
Which cause(s) did you donate to / do unpaid voluntary work for in 2025?
Of the total value of your donations to charities in 2025, approximately how much went to each of the following?
To what extent, if at all, have charities had a positive or negative impact in your local community, or have they made no difference?
For the last charity that you gave money to, how did you first find out about them?
How trustworthy do you tend to find each of these types of charities?
How could charities encourage you to donate in 2026?
Of the xx% that did unpaid, voluntary work in 2025 that benefitted people other than their family or friends, how many shifts did they do?
Think about the opportunities you have to get involved in making positive changes to society (whether locally or further afield). Which best describes your perspective?
"The Government encourages people to give to charity." Do you...
Development Expertise Center (DEC) is a National Civil Society Organisation established in 2007 and re-registered in May 2019 per the accord to Proclamation 1113/2019 for CSOs bearing registration number 0009. DEC has the program goal of designing and implementing sustainable development programs that address the social and economic needs of its target groups. The organisation is governed by a Board which has seven members as its supreme governing organ, and it has an Executive Director who is assigned by the Board and responsible for the strategic leadership and oversight the day-to-day operation of the organisation with a Management Team who are program heads.
Currently, DEC operates in Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Gambela, Benishangul Gumz National Regional States, Southwest regional state of Ethiopia and Addis Ababa City Administration. Together with its strategic partners, DEC has built excellence in implementing projects that sustainably respond to the felt needs of the targets amplifying community philanthropy. It has developed and makes use of appropriate & relevant policies, procedures, and guidelines to guide its management and operation.
Development Expertise Center (DEC) is a National Civil Society Organisation established in 2007 and re-registered in May 2019 per the accord to Proclamation 1113/2019 for CSOs bearing registration number 0009. DEC has the program goal of designing and implementing sustainable development programs that address the social and economic needs of its target groups. The organisation is governed by a Board which has seven members as its supreme governing organ, and it has an Executive Director who is assigned by the Board and responsible for the strategic leadership and oversight the day-to-day operation of the organisation with a Management Team who are program heads.
Currently, DEC operates in Afar, Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Gambela, Benishangul Gumz National Regional States, Southwest regional state of Ethiopia and Addis Ababa City Administration. Together with its strategic partners, DEC has built excellence in implementing projects that sustainably respond to the felt needs of the targets amplifying community philanthropy. It has developed and makes use of appropriate & relevant policies, procedures, and guidelines to guide its management and operation.
