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The percentage of people who acted pro-socially in this study is slightly lower than what we have seen in our own studies but generally shows the same picture: half of the population tends to give to charities and two-thirds give to something. Giving in Sweden is generally small-scale and regular. Large donations are uncommon, which is probably why donations as a proportion of income remain low compared to the global and continental averages.
Donors in Sweden choose to give to a greater extent to charities working internationally rather than those working locally. We see this pattern in our neighbouring countries Norway and Denmark as well — people tend to give less to causes they feel the welfare state should handle and more to causes that are not considered a responsibility of the welfare state.
One interesting finding of this study is the view that the Government does not encourage giving to any great extent. Tax deductions for individuals were introduced in 2019 and for corporations in 2026, but only for some causes. There remains considerable room for improvement in how the Government creates opportunities for Swedes to engage through giving.
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...
Giva Sverige (the Swedish Fundraising Association), is the professional membership body for fundraising organisations in Sweden. Our aim is to support giving and philanthropy giving in Sweden by improving the conditions for our members to fundraise in a trustworthy way.
Founded in 1991, Giva Sverige now has over 200 member organisations representing a broad range of Swedish civil society. Our members include large international organisations like UNICEF Sweden, Save the Children Sweden, Doctors Without Borders, and WWF, as well as many smaller organisations. Collectively, our members raised 12.2 billion SEK in 2024.
Members of Giva Sverige must comply with the ’Giva Sverige – Quality Code’, which encompasses governance, financial, and impact reporting requirements. Ethical fundraising guidelines are also a core part of membership requirements. Together, we strive to create a better world by ensuring accountability, transparency, and professionalism in fundraising and the Code is a way to help us get there.
Giva Sverige (the Swedish Fundraising Association), is the professional membership body for fundraising organisations in Sweden. Our aim is to support giving and philanthropy giving in Sweden by improving the conditions for our members to fundraise in a trustworthy way.
Founded in 1991, Giva Sverige now has over 200 member organisations representing a broad range of Swedish civil society. Our members include large international organisations like UNICEF Sweden, Save the Children Sweden, Doctors Without Borders, and WWF, as well as many smaller organisations. Collectively, our members raised 12.2 billion SEK in 2024.
Members of Giva Sverige must comply with the ’Giva Sverige – Quality Code’, which encompasses governance, financial, and impact reporting requirements. Ethical fundraising guidelines are also a core part of membership requirements. Together, we strive to create a better world by ensuring accountability, transparency, and professionalism in fundraising and the Code is a way to help us get there.
