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In 2025, 74% of people surveyed in Saudi Arabia reported giving money, above the global average of 61% and the continental average of 68%. Alongside financial giving, 49% of respondent gave goods in kind, well above the global average of 32%, while close to one in three (29%) did unpaid volunteer work.
In value terms, people in Saudi Arabia donated an average of 1.1% of their income, above the global average of 1.0%, though just below the Asian average of 1.2%.
Although just 15% of donations were directed explicitly to religious causes — below the global average of 21% — religious motivation remains strong, with 59% citing faith as a reason for giving. This apparent contradiction reflects the close relationship between Saudi charities, Islamic institutions and religious obligations such as Zakat. Poverty relief remains the most supported cause in Saudi Arabia, both financially and through volunteering, followed by health and humanitarian relief.
More than half of respondents believe charities have a very positive impact, compared with just 21% globally. Trust, however, is highly localised, with domestic charities viewed as more trustworthy than international organisations. Social media plays a central role in discovery and engagement, serving as a source of information for close to one third (30%) of donors, double the global average. In contrast, the influence of traditional media has declined sharply, with just 4% citing print, radio, or television as influencing their giving, down from 10% in 2024.
More than half of respondents strongly agreed that the Government encourages charitable giving, exceeding global and regional averages. This reflects the growing influence of the National Center for the Development of the Non Profit Sector. Nonetheless, 40% said they would give more if donating were easier, highlighting an opportunity for more streamlined, tech enabled giving solutions to unlock further generosity.
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...
Circle is a community platform committed to enhancing the impact and effectiveness of philanthropy throughout the Middle East and beyond. Initiated with funding by the Gates Foundation, our mission is to foster a more collaborative, strategic, and results-driven philanthropic ecosystem.
We connect donors, foundations, nonprofits, and social enterprises to build strong networks, share actionable knowledge, and generate insights that amplify giving across the region. By working together, we aim to unlock the full potential of philanthropy and create a powerful multiplier effect for social good.
The Circle website offers a trusted hub of curated resources — from practical how-to guides and real-world case studies to expert-led workshops, podcasts, databases, and exclusive member events. All content is available in English and Arabic.
Circle is a community platform committed to enhancing the impact and effectiveness of philanthropy throughout the Middle East and beyond. Initiated with funding by the Gates Foundation, our mission is to foster a more collaborative, strategic, and results-driven philanthropic ecosystem.
We connect donors, foundations, nonprofits, and social enterprises to build strong networks, share actionable knowledge, and generate insights that amplify giving across the region. By working together, we aim to unlock the full potential of philanthropy and create a powerful multiplier effect for social good.
The Circle website offers a trusted hub of curated resources — from practical how-to guides and real-world case studies to expert-led workshops, podcasts, databases, and exclusive member events. All content is available in English and Arabic.
