Most generous nations: Phl is 17th

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is one of the most generous countries in the world, a recent poll by a British charity institution showed.

The Charities Aid Foundation said the Philippines ranked 17th out of 146 nations with the highest World Giving Index scores.

The Philippines, which got 45 percent, shared the spot with Finland.

Australia is the most generous nation, the survey showed.

Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, the Netherlands, Indonesia, the United Kingdom and Paraguay, which received index scores of 50 percent, are the other top generous countries.

Denmark was 10th followed by Liberia, Iran, Turkmenistan, Qatar, Sri Lanka and Trinidad and Tobago. Hong Kong is next to the Philippines and Finland.

The World Giving Index ranked countries based on three “giving behaviors” – donating money to a charity, volunteering time for an organization, and helping strangers.

The survey used data collected in 2011 and a survey of 155,000 people. The market research firm Gallup conducted fieldwork.

The Philippines also ranked highest in terms of volunteerism in Southeast Asia, the survey said.

“Volunteering is particularly commonplace, with more people volunteering (44 percent) than in any other country in the region,” it said.

“The Philippines is ranked fifth globally for its participation in volunteering. The Philippines has a World Giving Index score that exceeds its five-year average,” it said.