World

10 most generous nations in the world

The index is based on the highest charitable donations as a percentage of a country's gross domestic product

News Desk February 04, 2016

PHOTO: REUTERS

The United States of America has been named as the world’s most generous nation in the world as its citizens give the most to charity, according to a new report by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).

USA, New Zealand and Canada have the highest rate of charitable donations as a percentage gross domestic product (GDP), the report found.

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The annual index revealed the most generous countries in the world based on the highest charitable donations as a percentage of their gross domestic product (GDP). CAF’s report took data from countries accounting for around 75 per cent of global GDP and 53 per cent of the world population.

The United States score, in terms of charitable giving by individuals as a percentage of GDP, was recorded at 1.44%, in New Zealand at 0.79%, in Canada at 0.77% and in the UK at 0.54%.

The report also analysed the impact of taxation and government spending and the amount given to charity and found there was "no significant correlation" except for employer social security charges, highlighting the complexity behind people’s decisions of when to give and how much.

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Adam Pickering, international policy manager at CAF, said, "Across the 24 nations we studied, we found no significant link between government spending, income or corporation tax and the proportion of GDP donated by individuals”.

"This suggests the relationship between the amount of taxes people pay and the amount they give to charity is not as clear cut as some may have thought. The factors which motivate people to give, and influence how much they give, are incredibly complex", he added.

Here are the 10 most generous nations in the world:

1) United States of America

PHOTO: REUTERS

2) New Zealand

PHOTO: AFP

3) Canada

PHOTO: REUTERS

4) United Kingdom

PHOTO: REUTERS

5) Republic of Korea

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6) Singapore

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7) India

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8) Russia

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9) Italy

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10) The Netherlands

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This article originally appeared on Independent.

COMMENTS (24)

Ahmad Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan has been accommodating eight million Afghans for the last four decades. Is this not a generosity?@Hassan:

np | 8 years ago | Reply @Hassan: India has 3 million registered NGOs. The fact that charitable institutions exist does not mean Pakistan shpouldbe considered as one of the top 10 charitable countries. How do you know other countries do not have many more such organizations?

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curious2 | 8 years ago | Reply @Hassan: I don't think anyone doubts that Pakistanis are a generous people. But to put your list in context - there are over 1.5 million similar organizations in the USA.

ramdar | 8 years ago | Reply @Ave Ry: '' they (US) also ignite the flames of war in many countries'' Really! Why these countries allow US to ignite flames of war in their country? India or Bangladesh or most other countries never allowed it. Obama wants to get out of Afghanistan. Civilized world including elected government of Afghanistan want US to stay on to fight the fanatics, with US taxpayer's money.

sabi | 8 years ago | Reply You see! once again Imran Khan is proved wrong for declaring Pakistanis the most generous nation in term of spending for charity.Pakistan nowhere in the list. India in the list has become a pleasant surprise .

brar | 8 years ago | Reply @Hassan: If the name Pakistan is omitted then the list is doubtful add Pakistan then I will have no doubt ? What is the use of typing this long list and there thousands of such institution in India also and if I start writing it will take hours and I know most of such institutions organisations re run to save taxes.

Ave Ry | 8 years ago | Reply You've got to be kidding me.... US does a lot to make a donation either under the United Nations or the Government . But they also ignite the flames of war in many countries then make them poor.

ajeet | 8 years ago | Reply @Haji Atiya: Its non Muslim countries that are supporting the Muslim refugees inspite of the security risk of letting them in, zakat or not

American Singh | 8 years ago | Reply @Hassan: Listing all charitable organizations in Pakistan is not going to get you on the list of charitable countries. Facts are facts, whether you accept them or not..

American Singh | 8 years ago | Reply Proud to be American & Indian (by origin)

Raj - USA | 8 years ago | Reply China that has tops in the list of billionaires is not in the list. Even Japan is not in the list. It is a pleasant surprise to see India at # 7 on the list. After the 2008 earthquakes in China that claimed nearly 70,000 lives, donors from all over the world came to help. However, not one Chinese billionaire donated even one dollar. Warren Buffett and Bill Gates were encouraging wealthy from all over the world to donate 50% of their wealth to charities. They traveled to many countries and wanted to meet with the wealthy there. They invited them for lunch. Not even one billionaire in China attended the lunch. They all gave some excuses as they knew what requests would be made to them. In India only a few attended the lunch. Azim Premji of Wipro and Narayana Murty of Infosys attended the lunch. I think Azim Premji tops the list of donors in India. After the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan's AJK that claimed 86,000 lives and made many thousands homeless, China came up with a paltry donation of $1 million and $5 million in supplies. Hillary Clinton scolded China for this and said that China should do more for Pakistan. China felt ashamed and increased the aid amount. India initially gave $25 million in cash assistance + assistance with supplies. In addition, many private companies had sent their own assistance in cash to Pakistan. Infosys tops the list with $226,000 in cash assistance.

Milind | 8 years ago | Reply Proud to see India in the top 10.. From the last 10 years I've noticed a positive change. Most companies,( including mine) have robust CSR programs and provide options to their employees for donations, to the underprivileged during Diwali time or during calamities and people contribute wholeheartedly. Lot of social work for the tribals and underprivileged happens through Rotary Club, NGOs etc... Hope we keep moving to the top.

ishrat salim | 8 years ago | Reply @Hassan: There is a different center between generosity and charity. Yes, in charity I agree with u.

singh | 8 years ago | Reply Good research work.@Hassan:

ramdar | 8 years ago | Reply India is the only poor developing country in this list, a pleasant surprise. Is it due to CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility ) culture and examples set by rich billionaires like Azim Premji, Tata, Narayan Murti...

Haji Atiya | 8 years ago | Reply @ajeet: Heard of Zakat, boss ??

Syedpk | 8 years ago | Reply I am continuously amazed by how our social/civic and political leaders deceive us. Just today I found two stats contrary to what we are always told. Pakistan has the highest per capita donation rate in the world, given that our gdp per capita is pretty small, our donation per gdp should have been sky high. Sadly false rumor. Pakistan has one of the richest biodiverse areas in the world. Pakistan does not even come up in the list of Biodiversity hotspots around the world. Its time we start facing up the facts.

Hassan | 8 years ago | Reply if Pakistan cannot be considered generous then i doubt the list, Zindagi trust,Sahara for Life Trust, SKMT,Sarim Burney Welfare Trust, Maa Hospital, Acid Survivors Foundation, Pakistan, Al-Khidmat Foundation Pakistan,Al-Shift Eye Trust Hospitals, Aurat Foundation,BEHBUD ASSOCIATION, Child Care Foundation of Pakistan,SIUT - Sindh Institute or Urology and Transplantation, The Citizens Foundation, Disaster Preparedness and Response Team (DPART), Edhi Foundation, EHSAS (Education, Health, and Social Achievement Services), Fatimid Foundation,Fatma Welfare Foundation, GSAC Foundation (Gaibi Shabir Ahmed Chandio Foundation), Hashoo Foundation, HOPE, Humanity Organization, Imran Khan Foundation,Indus Resource Centre, Jaago Pakistan,Kaarvan Foundation,The Kaghan Memorial Trust, Karachi Relief Trust, Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation,Khubaib Foundation,Khushaal Pakistan,The Kidney Centre, Karachi, Layton Rahmatullah Benevolent Trust, Legal Aid Office, MA Ayesha Memorial Centre,MALC - Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre, The Mehnaz Fatima Educational & Welfare Organization, Muslim Aid Pakistan, NAWA - Noble Aims Welfare Association, Oriental Women Organization, Pakistan Disabled Foundation, PFFB - Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness, Pakistan Green Task Force, Pakistan Red Crescent Society, Pakistan Society, PCLAPA - Pakistan Cleft Lip and Palate Association, RAHMA Islamic Relief Pakistan, READ Foundation (Rural Education and Development Foundation), RIZING ERA, ROZAN, SACHET, Services for Community Development Foundation,Shahina Aftab Foundation, SHARP - Society for Human Rights and Prisoners' Aid, SOS Children's Villages of Pakistan, SUNGI Development Foundation, Teen Challenge Pakistan, THALI, Thespianz Foundation (Thesfo.), Umeed-e-Noor, VHO - Village Health Organization, VOICEH -Voluntary Organization for the Improvement of Community in Education & Health, Waheed Relief Organization, Wermany, Zara Sochiye, Zubeda Khaliq Memorial Trust,CHHIPA, Selaani,these all are charitable organizations, No one can be as generous as Pakistanis are.

Love USA | 8 years ago | Reply Americans are amazing, generous people. No surprise America is the most generous country.

HAMZAH | 8 years ago | Reply Is it generosity per capita? Otherwise this list is just lame

TiffinBox | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan here is the "10 most generous nations in the world" .... take note and remember where to go next time for your regular government bail out packages.

ajeet | 8 years ago | Reply No Muslim countries?

pk | 8 years ago | Reply Proud to be Indian.

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