Iranians often consider themselves “as the most generous people in the world,” but according to a survey conducted in 2011 by the international Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), Iran ranked 91 among 153 countries in terms of the philanthropy index.
The survey examined not only cash donations, but also evaluated voluntary work such as services for old people and voluntary teaching of rural children. The amount of time that people spent on charity work was also investigated.
However, the study has some flaws and one of them is the lack of taking into account cultural differences, IRNA reported. Several activities considered as philanthropy in Iranian culture have not been studied by the foundation, while taking into consideration only “the most common philanthropic activities.”
