Dutch charitable donations are shrinking despite higher wages

Disposable incomes in the Netherlands may be rising but the Dutch themselves are donating less money to charity, according to new research published by Amsterdam’s VU university.

In 2024, charitable donations totalled no more than 0.54% of GDP, a record low, the VU researchers told the Volkskrant.

In total, Dutch households donated €2.4 billion to good causes and the total amount of donations, including funds, lotteries and corporate gifts reached €5.49 billion. But the percentage of GDP is the lowest figure since the research began in 1995.

The number of households making donations has fallen from 83% in 2022 to 76% in 2024. In 2006, 83% of the population said they would give money to a good cause, but that has shrunk in 20 years’ time to just 34%.

However, VU professor of philanthropy René Bekkers told the Volkskrant that more donations are being made in wills – a rise of 13%. And although fewer households donate money, those that do give an average of €415 a year, up €53 on four years ago.

“Good causes are focusing more on regular donors… but if GDP grows and they don’t increase their donation, then the percentage drops,” he said. “People are not quick to think that they should increase their monthly donation to the Red Cross if they start to earn more.”