How did a country just emerging from decades of iron-fisted military rule leading to international isolation, ethnic conflict, human rights abuses, underdevelopment and extreme poverty become the world’s most generous nation?
After coming in second last year, Myanmar made it to the top of the 2014 World Giving Index, a global survey published annually by the U.K.-based Charities Aid Foundation that measures not only money but also people’s behavior in terms of charitable activities, with a special focus on how frequently they help strangers, make donations and take time to volunteer.
“Existing wealth is no guarantee of a high level of giving,” Lisa Grinham, CEO of CAF Australia, told Devex, highlighting that just five of the countries in the top 20 belong to the G-20, up to 11 G-20 countries are outside of the top 50 and three G-20 members are not among the world’s 100 most generous nations, according to this list.
About the author
Lean Alfred Santos@DevexLeanAS
Lean Alfred Santos is a former Devex development reporter focusing on the development community in Asia-Pacific, including major players such as the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. He previously covered Philippine and international business and economic news, sports and politics.
