Hong Kong people are generous in helping the needy despite the economic downturn, according to a survey that found over 90 percent of respondents each donated an average of HK$827 (US$106) to charity last year.
Of 2,032 people polled by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, 1,883 said they had donated money to local and overseas charities last year.
Eighty-eight percent of the respondents in the unemployed category made donations last year.
The most common means of giving were through buying flags and charity coupons. Donors also said they left money in collection boxes for charities at shops or sponsored others in activities such as walkathons.
More than 60 percent of donors gave through organizations, while only one percent solely offered money to the beneficiaries directly. Thirty percent made donations both ways.
Government figures on tax deductions for tax-payers' charity donations have shown an increase in recent years, rising from HK$1.39 billion (US$178 million) in 1996-1997 to HK$1.66 billion (US$213 million) in 1997-1998 and 1998-1999, the latest year for which figures are available.
( China Daily January 26, 2002)
