The United States leads the world in charitable giving.

According to the study, the United States is only the 10th most generous nation globally in monetary terms, but combined with high rankings in other areas such as volunteering (5th) and helping strangers (2nd) the total score put the US at the top in terms of overall generosity. Last year the US was ranked number 5, worldwide.

Behind the US, the most generous nation overall in 2011 were (in order) Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Laos. Meanwhile, the country ranked as the least charitable nation on earth is Madagascar.

When you beat out North Korea and Burma for last place, that's saying something.


UPDATE: More proof right here.