MasterCard Worldwide has published the results of the survey conducted between 1 to 29 September 2008 aimed to know how many people are going to open their hearts and to be charitable this season. Survey has covered a total of 6,019 consumers in 14 markets. The data was collected via personal, telephone and Computer Aided Telephone interviews, with the questionnaire translated to the local language wherever appropriate and necessary. According to the results more than half (52.7%) of the region’s consumers plan to make charitable donations in the next 12 months, with consumers in Indonesia (88.3%), New Zealand (77.0%) and Australia (66.0%) being the most generous.

More than 12% of consumers across the region are planning to donate more than 5% of their annual income next year, with the fairer sex (54.3%) being slightly more charitable than their male counterparts (51.4%).

Interestingly, consumers who are divorced/widowed (with 65.9% planning to donate) are more generous than those who are single (50.8%) or married (53.3%). More than 50% of consumers across all age groups have plans to make donations in the coming 12 months, with those aged between 46-55 years being the most generous (57.5%), and those 30 years and below (50.4%) the least.

“It is heartening to see that consumers across the region are still looking to spread some cheer despite the trying economic environment. While giving patterns differ across the various demographics, it is encouraging to see that more than 50% of consumers across all groups were planning to make charitable donations in the next 12 months,” said Georgette Tan, vice president, Communications, Asia/Pacific, MasterCard Worldwide.