On 13 November 2025, the world celebrates World Kindness Day. From helping a stranger to volunteering time, small acts add up. Here’s what kindness looks like globally—and how you can join in today.
Why a day for kindness matters in 2025
Kindness isn’t soft—it’s practical. Research links everyday kindness with better mental health, stronger communities, and even higher workplace productivity. In a year defined by rapid tech change and social fragmentation, Kindness Day is a timely reset: less doomscrolling, more doing.
Kindness Around the World
According to the latest World Giving Index, countries such as Indonesia, Kenya, and the United States consistently score high on kindness behaviours—helping a stranger, donating money, and volunteering time. Europe shows mixed results (often higher in the North), while participation is rising across parts of Latin America and Southeast Asia.
- Helped a stranger (last month): one of the strongest global kindness signals.
- Donated money: increases during disasters and community drives.
- Volunteered time: boosted by workplace and school programmes.
Methodology and rankings: CAF World Giving Index.
Kindness by the numbers (global snapshot)
Illustrative proportions shown for education; check the CAF World Giving Index for the latest country data.
How to take part today
- At home: write a thank-you note, call someone who’s struggling, leave a positive review for a local business.
- At work: mentor a junior colleague, recognise a teammate publicly, start a micro-volunteering hour.
- At school: peer tutoring, lunch-table inclusion, kindness wall with daily notes.
- In your city: donate to a local charity, pick up litter on your route, support a community kitchen.
Small acts, big impact
Kindness scales through stories: a neighbour who shovels snow for an older resident, a café with suspended coffees, a school library that waives fines for book donations. Share one story in your area and you’ll often spark ten more.
Kindness Isn’t Just for People — It’s for Animals Too
True kindness extends beyond human interactions. According to the World Animal Protection and UN Environment Programme (UNEP), empathy toward animals improves both mental health and ecological balance. From feeding stray animals to adopting rescue pets, compassion toward animals helps create more humane cities and reduces abandonment and neglect.
- Support shelters: Volunteer at local animal rescues or donate pet food and supplies.
- Adopt, don’t shop: Give homeless pets a second chance through adoption programmes.
- Be eco-kind: Reduce plastic waste and choose cruelty-free products that protect wildlife habitats.
- Report cruelty: Speak up against abuse and neglect—kindness includes standing up for voiceless beings.
Sources: UNEP, World Animal Protection, RSPCA UK.
