Germany: non-voters give least, Green voters most generous

Supporters of the Germany’s main green party – Bündnis 90/Die Grünen – are more generous than any other group of voters, according to figures from EFA member Deutscher Fundraising Verband (DFRV).

The new data shows that among the population as a whole, 49% of people made a donation last year, with total giving per person being an average of €170.

These figures rise to 61% and €197 for Green voters. They are also above average for supporters of the centre-left SPD (58% and €175) and the centre-right CDU/CSU (55% and €175).

The numbers are around average for supporters of Die Linke (The Left), at 48% and €175. Voters for the FDP are less likely to give (43%). However, its donors are almost as generous as Greens (€196).

Supporters of far-right populist AfD are less likely to give (36% and €118), although non-voters are the least frequent donors (26% and €103).

Since the 2021 election, the SPD has been the largest party in the Bundestag, governing in coalition with the Greens and the FDP. The SPD is the party of both Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Voters’ views on civil society

The study also asked voters for their views on the role of civil society.

While 51% of the population as a whole agreed that charitable donations are a quick and unbureaucratic way to help society, this rose to 62% of Greens, but dropped to 37% of AfD supporters and 35% of non-voters.

Asked whether a fully-functioning state would in theory mean that there was no need for charitable donations, 59% of AfD supporters agreed, versus 41% of the population, including 37% of non-voters.

Larissa Probst, managing director of the DFRV, comments:

“This data shows that while non-voters are less able to donate or aren’t engaged by the sector, AfD voters are in a different position – they may have the means to donate, but are often fundamentally sceptical about both civil society as a whole and individual charities.”

Picture by Element5 Digital