Average Monthly Donations in Germany, 2014 to 2023

Key figures

• December is by far the biggest month for donations in Germany, averaging 1,049 million euros over 2014 to 2023.
• December accounts for about 18% of annual donations, and November is second at 552 million euros.
• June is the quietest month, at 327 million euros.
• In March 2022, when the war in Ukraine began, donations reached 912 million euros.
• Since 2005 Germany has 51% fewer donors, but each gives 3 more times a year and 9 euros more per donation.

All figures are from the graphic, which cites the Deutscher Spendenrat e.V. (German Donations Council).

Average monthly donations in Germany, in text

Title: German Charity Time. Subtitle: As donors feel more generous around Christmas, donations rise. Chart heading: “Average monthly donations over the last ten years, in million €”, with the note “Average donations 2014 to 2023”.

A faded bar behind March is labelled “March 2022: 912”. Annotations: “December accounts for about 18% of annual donations, driven by donor generosity, nonprofits ramping up campaigns and looming tax deduction deadlines” and “Catastrophic events, such as the start of the Ukraine war in March 2022, drive up donations”.

Side panel, headed “How the german donation landscape changed since 2005”: 51 “percent less donors”; 3 “more donations per donor and year”; 9 “euros higher average donation per act”. Summary: “The total donated amount has remained relatively stable, rising from €4.59 billion in 2005 to €4.99 billion in 2023, despite a significant drop in donors, thanks to both more frequent and larger donations”. Footer: “Source: Deutscher Spendenrat e.V.” and the Data Pulse logo.

Donations in Germany since 2005

The figures come from the Deutscher Spendenrat’s annual study, the Bilanz des Helfens, which is based on a panel survey of private donors [1]. It counts voluntary cash gifts by private individuals in Germany to charities, aid organisations and churches. Legacies, company donations, gifts to political parties and very large single donations are left out [1].

The 2023 edition put total donations at 4.988 billion euros, about 12% less than in 2022 and close to the levels of 2017 and 2019 [2]. About 17 million people gave at least once in 2023, 1.7 million fewer than the year before [2]. Those who gave did so more often than ever, an average of 7.3 times a year, and gave 40.30 euros each time on average [2].

The study’s own tables match the side panel. Donors fell from 34.6 million in 2005 to 17.0 million in 2023, donations per donor rose from 4.3 to 7.3 a year, and the average gift per donation rose from 30.90 to 40.30 euros [3]. Total donations were 4,590 million euros in 2005 [3].

Why December matters

The study shows December as the strongest month of the year, at about 18% of the annual total in 2023 [3]. Between 2010 and 2023 December’s share ranged from 17% to 23% [3]. Its December figures for 2014 to 2023 average about 1,050 million euros (our arithmetic), in line with the chart’s 1,049. The same report shows March 2022, the month the war in Ukraine began, at 912 million euros [3].

Notes on this infographic

• Wording. “Percent less donors” means 51% fewer donors (34.6 million in 2005 against 17.0 million in 2023) [3].
• December share. The twelve monthly averages add up to about 5,319 million euros, which would put December nearer 20% (our arithmetic). The “about 18%” matches the study’s figure for 2023 [3].
• Two time frames. The monthly chart averages 2014 to 2023; the side panel compares 2005 with 2023.
• Newer data. The Spendenrat has since published studies for 2024 and 2025 [1].

Questions about charitable donations in Germany

In which month do Germans donate the most?

December, with average donations of 1,049 million euros over 2014 to 2023, about 18% of annual donations. November is second at 552 million euros. The graphic links the December peak to donor generosity, nonprofits ramping up campaigns and looming tax deduction deadlines. Between 2010 and 2023 December's share of the year ranged from 17% to 23% [3].

How much do Germans donate to charity each year?

Private donors in Germany gave 4.988 billion euros in 2023, about 12% less than in 2022 and close to the levels of 2017 and 2019 [2]. The total has stayed fairly stable since 2005, when it was 4,590 million euros [3]. The figures come from the Deutscher Spendenrat's Bilanz des Helfens, which counts voluntary cash gifts by private individuals [1].

How many people donate to charity in Germany?

About 17 million people gave at least once in 2023, 1.7 million fewer than the year before [2]. That is 51% fewer donors than in 2005, when there were 34.6 million [3]. Those who gave did so an average of 7.3 times a year and gave 40.30 euros each time on average [2].

How much did Germans donate when the war in Ukraine started?

In March 2022, the month the war in Ukraine began, donations in Germany reached 912 million euros [3]. That compares with an average of 415 million euros for March over 2014 to 2023. The graphic notes that catastrophic events, such as the start of the Ukraine war, drive up donations.

Sources

1. Deutscher Spendenrat e.V., Bilanz des Helfens (overview and method, in German).
2. Deutscher Spendenrat e.V., Bilanz des Helfens 2023, press release, 9 February 2024 (in German).
3. Deutscher Spendenrat e.V. and GfK, Bilanz des Helfens 2023, full report (PDF, in German).

Last reviewed 30 October 2026