Charitable giving in the UK: the latest post-pandemic insights

The largest study of giving behaviour in the UK 

The UK Giving report explores people’s giving habits throughout the lockdowns of early 2021 and how they have changed with the easing of pandemic restrictions. These changing patterns continued into the first quarter of 2022, against the backdrop of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and the rising cost of living.

This report highlights key trends that will assist charities, policymakers, and wider society to better understand the UK’s changing giving landscape. The research is based on monthly interviews conducted online throughout 2021, as well as more recent polling from the first quarter of 2022 (c. 18,000 interviews in total). Some longer-term trend analysis is also included, using monthly data since May 2016. 
 
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Key findings: what did we learn? 

People in the UK gave
£10.7 billion to charity in 2021

A substantial decrease from £11.3 billion donated in 2020

The trend of fewer people giving is now established

Giving in 2021 remained subdued, donation levels were below the pre-pandemic figures

1 in 3 people donated in response to the Ukraine crisis

The war in Ukraine prompted the largest donation average ever recorded in our survey

Cut backs in response to the rising cost of living

One in eight donors are considering cutting back on or reducing donations to charities

Animal welfare remains the most popular cause

Nearly a third of donors (28%) supported animal causes in 2021

Direct debit or standing order is now the most common way to give

In 2021 more people (38%) used bank mandates than ever before

Research and insight

Want to know more? 

Our research and insight programme is focused on increasing understanding of charitable giving and philanthropy in the UK and internationally.  Our latest polling results from surveys with charities and the public can be viewed on our Covid-19: what it means for giving page.

Media enquiries

Are you a member of the media? 

For all media enquiries, please visit our media office, call us on 03000 123286 or email us direct.  

Previous UK Giving reports

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The UK Giving Report 2021

This report marks the continuation of our examination of the impact of Covid-19 on the UK Giving landscape.

Read the report
uk-giving-2020-special report

UK Giving during Covid-19: A special report

Despite Covid-19, giving remains in line with previous years but fundraising challenges takes a toll on some key causes.

Read the report
UK Giving

UK Giving 2019

The number of people in the UK regularly giving to charity has declined for the third year in a row.

Read the report