The U.S. tied with
Switzerland for fifth place in a “world giving index” by the British-based
Charities Aid Foundation that measured charitable behavior across the globe.
The ranking in the “World Giving Index 2010” was based on the U.S.’s showing in
three categories — 60 percent of Americans gave to an organization; 39 percent
volunteered for a group; and 65 percent were willing to aid a stranger.
Australia and New Zealand were ranked as the most charitable countries,
followed by Ireland and Canada.
Burundi and Madagascar tied for last place.
The report was based on data from Gallup’s World Poll, taken in 153 countries
and representing about 95 percent of the global population. Donating and
volunteering could include places of worship as well as community organizations
and political groups.
“When it comes to philanthropy, Americans do a lot … and can always do more,”
said Janet Boyd, president of Charities Aid Foundation America, a member
organization of the foundation that issued the report.
“In my view, no one should take a critical view of the U.S. fifth place rank in
this report … but that also does not mean that we should be complacent as a
nation when there is so much more that can be done.”