With the holiday season right around the corner, the spirit of giving is resonating through the air. To compliment this, however, one particular country has made charitable events the focus of their efforts year round.

According to the “World Giving Index,” three main factors determine what “giving behaviors” are: donating money, donating time and helping a stranger. The “World Giving Index” was established by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) in order to give a well-rounded sense of generous behavior across the globe.

Each country was asked a question pertaining to the three aforementioned factors, and the scores were derived from the average of the answers received. Once the averages were collected, the countries were placed into specific rankings centered on these scores.

Australia ranked the highest out of every country in the world, with a total world index score of 60 percent. This percentage demonstrates the amount of individuals who participate in one of the three generous acts on a monthly basis.

In a single month, the World Giving Index observed that two-thirds of individuals in Australia donate money to charity while also helping a stranger. Since 2007, the average global participation in charitable acts has steadily decreased. Australia has consistently maintained the highest average for giving for the last five consecutive years.

The benevolent values of Australia are promoted by their response to natural disasters that took place in 2010 and 2011. From these catastrophes came the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission. Australian generosity is also attributed to the fact that they are one of few countries that has survived for more than two decades without an economic recession.

Since the financial year 2009-2010, Australians increased their giving by $248 million, giving $2.21 billion in 2010-2011.

Although Australia has an overall ranking as the most generous country, studies show that Ireland has the highest rate of donating money, beating out Australia 79 to 76 percent. Ireland is ranked as the second most giving country in the world according to the World Giving Index.

Top Five Most Generous Countries According to World Giving Index

1.) Australia

World Giving Index Score: 60%

Participation in donating money: 76%

Participation in volunteering time: 37%

Participation in helping a stranger: 67%

 

2.) Ireland

World Giving Index Score: 60%

Participation in donating money: 79%

Participation in volunteering time: 34%

Participation in helping a stranger: 66%

 

3.) Canada

World Giving Index Score: 58%

Participation in donating money: 64%

Participation in volunteering time: 42%

Participation in helping a stranger: 67%

 

4.) New Zealand

World Giving Index Score: 57%

Participation in donating money: 66%

Participation in volunteering time: 38%

Participation in helping a stranger: 68%

 

5.) United States

World Giving Index Score: 57%

Participation in donating money: 57%

Participation in volunteering time: 42%

Participation in helping a stranger: 71%

 

– Samaria Garrett

Sources: Insider Monkey, International Business Times
Photo: Mobile Cuisine