The most giving country in the world?

“From a company-level to a personal-level, from one time event to routine practice, from material donations to talent donations.”

Korean society has gradually evolved in making donations and sharing with others. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Statistics Korea on April 3, the total amount of monetary donation amounted to 11.84 trillion won (approx. 10.81 billion U.S. dollars) in 2012, which is a dramatic increase in a short period of time compared to 8.14 trillion won (approx. 7.4 billion dollars) in 2006. This accounts for some 0.9 percent as a share of GDP.

One thing that should be noted is that more individuals are making small donations. Out of the total sum, 7.73 trillion won or 65.3 percent (approx. 7.06 billion dollars) was from personal donors while 4.11 trillion won or 34.7 percent (approx. 3.75 billion dollars) from the corporate level. In 2014, 34.5 percent of people aged 15 or older join the ranks of sharing, which translates into more than three out of 10 people make donations. The spirit of sharing is particularly high in relatively older generations. The participation rate by age showed the highest figure in people in 40s and 50s with 40 percent.

It also turned out that more people are sharing their time and talent, not just material stuff. The participation rate of voluntary workers stood at 17.7 percent, showing continuous growth from 14.3 percent in 2006.

In addition, more people are turned out to make blood donation in their daily lives. In 2013, 2.914 million people or 5.8 percent out of total population shared their blood with others.

There are areas of improvement as well. The World Giving Index based on annual survey by Charities Aid foundation showed that Korea took the 60th place out of 134 countries in 2014. The calculation of the index considers not only the monetary donation but also personal time or efforts that have been spared to others. As expected, advanced Western countries are staying in the upper ranks such as America in the second place, followed consecutively by Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia.

It, however, doesn’t explain that nations with economic power share more as the most giving country turned out to be Myanmar at first place, Sri Lanka at 9th, and the Kingdom of Bhutan at 11th place.

“It seems that they want to do their best to help and share with others as they knew what it would be like to suffer terrible wars or economic hardship,” analyzed the foundation as the reason for Myanmar to hold the first or second place all the time.