[CurtisTH]

American people give out way more money to other countries and charities overall than any other nation. This doesn't even count government aid, just regular citizens. There seems to be a link between happiness in a population and how charitable they are. what do you think?

Next time some Marxist loving Leftist tries to convince you how evil America or the leaders Americans voted for are just remember the US is the most generous country ever in the civilized world bar none. With all the anti American bigotry going around by some Europeans and many Canadians these days maybe it is time for a reality check. Like they say money talks BS walks…

Americans are the most generous people in the world, measured by charitable giving as a percent of GDP. Americans give twice as much (1.67% of GDP) as the next most charitable country, the U.K. at 0.73%, according to this study by the Charities Aid Foundation (chart above is taken from the study). Americans give almost 12 times as much as the French and almost 8 times as much as the Germans. In fact, Americans give more as a percent of GDP than France, Germany, Turkey, New Zealand, Singapore and the Netherlands COMBINED!

And charitable giving in the U.S. set another record in 2006 at almost $300 billion, about the same amount as the GDP of Denmark, Greece, Austria or Norway. source

Washington — The United States is the single largest donor of foreign economic aid, but, unlike many other developed nations, Americans prefer to donate their money through the private sector, according to a new report published by a Washington research organization.

Of the $122.8 billion of foreign aid provided by Americans in 2005 (the most current data available), $95.5 billion, or 79 percent, came from private foundations, corporations, voluntary organizations, universities, religious organizations and individuals, says the annual Index of Global Philanthropy.

The index was issued May 24 by the Center for Global Prosperity at the Hudson Institute, a Washington-based nonpartisan research organization.

“It isn’t like in the 1950s when the Marshall Plan and government flows dominated our economic engagement with the developing world,” said Carol A. Adelman, the director of the Center for Global Prosperity. She spoke May 24 at the launching of the report.

For example, U.S. foundations gave more – in money, time, goods and expertise — than 11 of the 22 developed-country governments each gave in 2005, and U.S. private voluntary organizations totaled more than the governments of Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany and France each.

More than half of all U.S. assistance to developing countries, $61.7 billion, came in the form of private remittances by individuals living in the United States to their families abroad, the report says. According to the report, those remittances not only reduce poverty, but, in some cases, increase creditworthiness of countries and underwrite their trade imbalances.

sources:

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/ameri...-people-planet

% of GDP/charity:
http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2007/06/...people-in.html

http://www.america.gov/st/foraid-eng...0.2997553.html

[fkisjjdhh]

Interesting. Would you say there's a correlation between the high level of philanthropic activity in the USA and its high religiosity? Israel is also more religious than most western countries, and is very philanthropic as well:

According to the John Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project, philanthropy accounted for 1.34 percent of GDP in Israel in 2003, second only to the United States (with 1.85 percent of the GDP). source

[Gmvkgkmn]

I think so. theres definitely a strong connection between religion and charitable causes. I'm not religious but I was raised in a religious environment and some of it has stuck with me. but that's not to say that atheists and agnostics can't be as charitable or kind as religious people.

[Tveabuti]

We are the most diverse nation and many of our citizens are 'refugees'/came here in hopes of a better life. Plus we have one of the largest middle-classes in the world, so its no surprise that we donate the most.

But the real reason why we 'give the most' is becuz all donations are tax deductible meaning we get tax breaks. Lol!

[phsyalcvqh]

But the real reason why we 'give the most' is becuz all donations are tax deductible meaning we get tax breaks. Lol!

yeah right. when it comes to America it's never due to good intentions, it's always due to some conspiracy.

[oxinsnepe]

I do think America is one of the most charitable countries in the world but there are a few problems with the way its measured...

1. America has the most billionaires in the world so that skews the charity/%GDP and doesn't give a clear picture of how much the "average Joe" donates to charity.
2. Charitableness has to be proportionate to income, obviously developed countries are more charitable then less developed countries. A less developed country could be more charitable per capita but because its citizens have low disposable income, the numbers don't rank as high as it should.
3. Some Americans(especially super rich ones) have an incentive to donate because of tax deductions.

[Cricequorie]

yeah right. when it comes to America it's never due to good intentions, it's always due to some conspiracy.

Lol! Its no conspiracy... its the truth

[Kryfamid]

Lol! Its no conspiracy... its the truth

tell me this; why is the amount of money we give per GDP more than Canada, Germany and the U.K. combined?

the amount of foreign aid the government gives (with our tax money ) is also the most. I don't think Americans would get tax breaks for donating to private organizations which is what most people do anyway.

[Peter Hill]

It's true Amurikans are great and very charitable. They would give their right arm to the needy, if needed.

Wickedgirl, I need 5000 dollars. I will PM you my bank account number.

[Kimeoffessyr]

It's true Amurikans are great and very charitable. They would give their right arm to the needy, if needed.

Wickedgirl, I need 5000 dollars. I will PM you my bank account number.

I would give it to you. problem is, is I don't have 5000 dollars right now

ask me in a couple of years

[phenterminediett]

I would give it to you. problem is, is I don't have 5000 dollars right now

ask me in a couple of years

Ah bless you W, your such a kind soul... so American! A typical All American Girl indeed. I don't need your money. I was just testing you, like Jesus on Lake Gennesaret.

[JanetMorris]

I do think America is one of the most charitable countries in the world but there are a few problems with the way its measured...

1. America has the most billionaires in the world so that skews the charity/%GDP and doesn't give a clear picture of how much the "average Joe" donates to charity.
2. Charitableness has to be proportionate to income, obviously developed countries are more charitable then less developed countries. A less developed country could be more charitable per capita but because its citizens have low disposable income, the numbers don't rank as high as it should.
3. Some Americans(especially super rich ones) have an incentive to donate because of tax deductions.

Nuance is the name of the game.

[DoterForeva]

i dont know about the various number involved here, but i think one must be aware of the difference between countries like my own (also to a large degree EU countries) and US, as here our government system is based on socialism and so most aid and welfare is done via the government:

http://www.ssb.no/english/subjects/1...uhjelpoecd_en/

this is in big contrast to capitalist based countries like the US..

[statistica]

An honest list. Your America is so kind lulz post doesn't reflect charity as a proportion of the population or GNI (Gross National Income). This one better reflects this.

Official Development Assistance by country as a percentage of GNI

Read and weap.

1. Sweden - 1.12%
2. Norway - 1.06%
3. Luxembourg - 1.01%
4. Denmark - 0.88%
5. Netherlands - 0.82%
6. Belgium - 0.55%
7. Finland - 0.54%
8. Ireland - 0.54%
9. United Kingdom - 0.52%
10. Switzerland - 0.47%
11. France- 0.46%
12. Spain - 0.46%
13. Germany - 0.35%
14. Canada - 0.30%
15. Austria - 0.30%
16. Australia - 0.29%
17. New Zealand - 0.29%
18. Portugal - 0.23%
19. United States - 0.20% 20. Greece - 0.19%
21. Japan - 0.18%
22. Italy - 0.16%
23. South Korea - 0.10%



Another list

Most Generous Countries in 2008 as donation per citizen in 2008 (report July 2010)The GHA July 2010 report also lists countries ranked by generosity as donation per citizen from data collected in 2008.[6]

1. Luxembourg - $114.4/citizen
2. Norway - $95.7/citizen
3. Sweden - $65.9/citizen
4. Ireland - $55.9/citizen
5. Denmark - $54.1/citizen
6 The Netherlands - $38.6/citizen
7. Kuwait - $32.8/citizen
8. Saudi Arabia - $28.7/citizen
9. Finland - $27/citizen
10. Switzerland - $25.4/citizen

America doesn't even feature.

Your statistic as dishonest as saying that the Chinese are richer than the Norwegians because their total GDP is higher. When in fact their population is disproportionatly higher as well.

[metrocartockasur]

tell me this; why is the amount of money we give per GDP more than Canada, Germany and the U.K. combined?

the amount of foreign aid the government gives (with our tax money ) is also the most. I don't think Americans would get tax breaks for donating to private organizations which is what most people do anyway.

Any donation you give to any organization (church, school, Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, etc) is tax deductible.

Also.... America giving the most aid =/= American people are the most charitable people. Like the article stated, its mainly given through private organizations/businesses and government (I've already mentioned my views on foreign aid in other threads so I won't expand). Also, plenty of people around the world are waaay more hospitable/charitable; they'll feed/care/house/dress a person or family. But nobody records those acts/services... and they shouldn't because charity isn't about receiving recognition for an act.

[wiweimeli]

Plus, if you really care about charity and aren't just using this tiny out of context statistic to try and score jingoistic brownie points and to lick the wounds, read this very interesting report by the World Charities Aid Foundation which devised together a report with an index on the most giving nations. (America comes sixth by the way)

http://www.cafonline.org/pdf/WorldGi...92010Print.pdf

http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/respons...ountries-named

[Sheelldaw]

An honest list. Your America is so kind lulz post doesn't reflect charity as a proportion of the population or GNI (Gross National Income). This one better reflects this.

Official Development Assistance by country as a percentage of GNI

do you even know what "Official Development Assistance" means? It's the aid a country's government gives to other countries. America gives out more foreign aid than any other nation. The only reason America was number 19 on that list is because our GNI is so incredibly high. Sweden's GNI is only 358 Billion, America's GNI is 14 Trillion which is almost 40 times that much. so that makes your shitty list even more irrelevant. The U.S. gives out 50 Billion dollars in foreign aid annually. what other country comes even close?

Any donation you give to any organization (church, school, Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, etc) is tax deductible.

no it's not. not every organization...donating to private organizations with no ties to the government certainly isn't tax deductible. the rest of what you said is only subjective. if you really don't think American people are hospitable you obviously have never been to the Northeast for one.

[VUzgOhgv]

no it's not. not every organization...donating to private organizations with no ties to the government certainly isn't tax deductible. the rest of what you said is only subjective. if you really don't think American people are hospitable you obviously have never been to the Northeast for one.

Any non-profit organization that is registered as an organization here in the USA is tax deductible.

Also, screw the Northeast.... I'm from the South. And EVERYBODY knows our hospitality is unmatched (amongst Americans).

[Repwailia]

do you even know what "Official Development Assistance" means? It's the aid a country's government gives to other countries. America gives out more foreign aid than any other nation. The only reason America was number 19 on that list is because our GNI is so incredibly high.

Daraccount is right, % against GNI is more accurate than using it against GDP.

[stadiaKab]

Daraccount is right, % against GNI is more accurate than using it against GDP.

no he isn't. America's GNI is 14 Trillion and Sweden's GNI is 358 Billion. what don't you get?

America (government) gives out around 50 Billion in foreign every year. the only reason we are low on that list is because our GNI is so high and our economy is way bigger. If you want to believe in dara's stupidity, be my guest haha.