Impress your friends and family with five facts about how people around the world donate.

The CAF World Giving Index 2016 report focuses on three kinds of charitable behaviour - donating money to charity, volunteering and helping a stranger - across 140 countries, to illustrate the nature of giving around the world in 2015. But did you know:

1. FOR THE THIRD YEAR RUNNING, MYANMAR TOPS THE CAF WORLD GIVING INDEX

In line with previous years, more than nine in ten people in Myanmar donated money in the month prior to interview.

The high scores are likely to be a result of Theravada Buddhism, which is practiced by a large proportion of the population in Myanmar. Followers donate to support those living a monastic lifestyle – a practice known as Sangha Dana.

The increase in giving since the CAF World Giving Index 2015 may, in part, be due to a widespread sense of optimism ahead of the country’s first elections in November 2015, following years of military rule.

After Myanmar, the top giving countries are the US and Australia.

2. THE UK IS THE MOST GENEROUS COUNTRY IN EUROPE

The UK is ranked 8th in the World Giving Index, performing the highest out of all European countries interviewed in 2015. The highest average behaviour in the UK was donating money (69% said they had donated), followed by helping a stranger at 61%. The volunteering score was lower at 33%.

3. MEN ARE MORE LIKELY TO HELP A STRANGER OR VOLUNTEER, BUT ARE EQUALLY LIKELY TO DONATE AS WOMEN

In many countries, men are more likely than women to volunteer or help a stranger. However, when it comes to donating money, there’s little difference between men and women at the global level.

Cultural attitudes towards gender seem to play an important role in the likelihood of men and women to give in any of the three ways measured. 

4. IRAQ RANKS HIGHEST FOR HELPING A STRANGER FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING

We continue to be humbled by signs of generosity across the globe in times of adversity, with people rallying when there’s a greater need within the population.

Despite the ongoing civil war, for the second year running Iraq ranks top for helping a stranger.

5. AFRICA SHOWS A POSITIVE SHIFT IN GIVING HABITS

At an overall continental level, Africa’s 2016 score is higher than its five-year average for all three giving behaviours – an achievement Africa shares with Asia. It also has the most improved overall World Giving Index score this year.

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Giving around the world

CAF World Giving Index 2016

Find out how the world gives, and see where your country ranks.

Download the report