The Stewardship Generosity Report has revealed a surprising and exciting trend. 18-24-year-olds give the highest proportion of their income (10.63%).
This raises an important question: Why are young Christians the most generous, and what does it mean for the future of giving?
A pattern of consistent generosity
Looking back at last year’s report, we see a clear pattern. In the 2024 report, 18-24s were also the most generous, giving an average of 5.2% of their income (£123 per month). This year, giving has increased across all age groups - but young adults continue to lead the way, giving both the highest percentage and the highest average amount.
Digging deeper, we found another striking trend: Across all income levels, participants gave above the national average, with giving rates ranging from 7% to 14% depending on salary.
Who are these generous young Christians?
What makes this generation so generous? Several factors stand out:
- Diverse backgrounds: 36% of 18-24s in our survey come from ethnic backgrounds other than White, the highest proportion of any age group (26% higher than the overall sample).
- City-based: 20% of 18-24s live in London, almost double the overall sample (11%).
- Faith traditions: While Roman Catholic (28%) and Anglican (23%) were the most common denominations in this group, Independent (6%) and Pentecostal (12%) Christians were also significantly more represented compared to the wider sample.
The impact of deeper Christian practice
The strongest link to generosity, however, isn’t demographics—it’s the depth of Christian commitment.
Our data consistently shows that those who practise their faith more deeply also give more generously. Among 18-24s:
- 45% were identified as ‘Committed Christians’, compared to just 15% as ‘Cultural Christians’.
- This aligns with last year’s report, where 59% of young givers were classified as ‘Practising Christians’.
This suggests that churches and ministries engaging young people in deeper discipleship can expect to see a culture of generosity grow alongside it.
What do young Christians think about giving?
When it comes to talking about generosity, young Christians are more open than other age groups:
- 64% discuss giving with family at least once a year, compared to 55% of committed Christians and 41% of the overall sample.
- 50% started giving because their parents or grandparents taught them to—highlighting the crucial role families play in shaping generosity.
What motivates them to give?
Young Christians share many of the same motivations as other givers, but with key differences:
Top 5 reasons for giving or increasing giving:
- Gratitude for the blessings God has given me – 23%
- I could see the impact it would have on people in my community – 22%
- Gratitude for what Jesus did for me on the cross – 22%
- I could see how my money would be spent to directly benefit someone – 21%
- I felt part of something that can make a difference – 20%
The emphasis on impact stands out. 18-24s are particularly driven by seeing real, tangible results from their giving. This reinforces the importance of churches and charities sharing stories of changed lives to engage younger supporters.
What this means for the future of giving
The generosity of young Christians is an encouraging sign for the future. Though a smaller group than older generations, their depth of commitment and intentional approach to giving set them apart.
As we continue to track giving trends in future reports, we hope to see this culture of generosity grow and inspire the wider Church.
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Elizabeth Fennell
Elizabeth is part of the Giving Services Leadership Team. She is passionate about equipping people to be generous with whatever they have, and to serve God by serving others. Elizabeth loves numbers and enjoys making sure the team is supplied with the right information as they serve and support our givers. She has been known to get quite excited over a good spreadsheet!
Elizabeth has lived in Essex for most of her life and currently attends Regen Church, where she serves on the worship and welcome teams. She also helps support people pastorally through their small groups.
Elizabeth is passionate about evangelism, especially for students. She actively supports those who use the arts to spread the message of Jesus. Alongside this, she has a heart for the ‘orphan’ and supports workers and charities that focus on the marginalised and those in need of care and compassion.
