Welcome to the 2015 edition of the World Giving Index, which looks at charitable behaviour across the world, involving 135 countries. The report is based on more than a million interviews conducted by Gallup since 2005/06, as part of their World Poll survey.

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 while at a global level, people have become increasingly likely to donate money to a charity or help a stranger, they are less likely to volunteer their time. It found that Myanmar ranked highest in the world for generosity, with the United States second, New Zealand third, Canada fourth and Australia fifth. The research shows that some of the world’s most generous countries are also among the most deprived. Just five of the World Giving Index top 20 are members of the G-20, which represents the world’s largest economies. For the first time in the six years the World Giving Index has been published, men and now more likely to give money than women.

The report includes:

• Analysis of levels of giving worldwide
• An index of all countries ranked by their average on the three behaviours
• Insight into fluctuations in the three giving behaviours
• Recommendations for what governments around the world can do to enhance giving

Find out more

• Read the full World Giving Index 2015 report
• View the World Giving Index 2015 infographic
• Download the World Giving Index 2015 bubble map
• Join the conversation on Twitter with #WorldGiving