People around the world were more charitable in 2011, according to the UK-based Charities Aid Foundation.  CAF's World Giving Index measures giving in three areas: donating money, volunteering time to an organisation, and helping a stranger or "someone you didn't know who needed help."  While charitable giving of money dipped slightly from 2010 to 2011, more people volunteered and/or helped strangers this past year.  The United States topped the list with a World Giving Index score of 60.  Ireland is a close second with a score of 59, while last year's top countries, Australia and New Zealand, remain near the top with scores of 58 and 57, respectively. 

Regionally, Southern Asia stands out for a significant increase in giving from 2010 to 2011.  Here is a look at the regional breakdown:

Read the full report here.