Fewer Britons giving to charity, study says, with donations down by £1.4bn

The Guardian reports that charitable giving in the UK has fallen sharply, with the total amount donated dropping from £15.4bn in 2024 to £14bn in 2025. This is the first overall decline in several years, and it reflects a broader long-term trend of fewer people donating to charity.

According to the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), the number of people giving has fallen significantly over the past decade, with around six million fewer donors than in 2016. While those who continue to give are still donating, they are giving slightly smaller amounts on average, and fewer people are making regular contributions.

A key reason behind the decline is financial pressure, with many people saying they simply cannot afford to donate due to the cost-of-living crisis. Others report a lack of interest or engagement with charities, suggesting that both affordability and motivation are playing a role in reduced giving.

Overall, the report paints a picture of a shrinking donor base and a fragile “culture of giving” in the UK, with charities increasingly reliant on a smaller group of supporters to maintain income levels.

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