The World Giving Index score is based on an average of three measures of giving behaviour - the percentage of people who, in a typical month, donate money to charity, volunteer their time, and help a stranger. The three behaviours are also looked at on an individual basis within the report.

This year’s report shows that, though the pace of economic expansion has slowed, the levels of involvement in giving – for all three measures – has increased on last year's results. However, looking at the longer term, only the percentage of people saying that they have helped a stranger has exceeded 2008 levels.

Key findings and conclusions

  • The United States has reclaimed first place in the World Giving Index.
  • Giving has bucked a trend, growing in 2012
  • Helping a stranger is the key to the rise in giving to charity
  • The most substantial growth is in the number of people helping strangers
  • Global youth are driving the rise in volunteering

Source: World Giving Index

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