People in Northern Ireland are the most likely in the UK to give money to charity, a survey revealed today.
Despite relatively low incomes, households which made donations were handing over £42 (€62) a month on average, the government study found.
A think tank said the reasons could include higher levels of church-going or more effective fundraising strategies by voluntary groups.
nfpSynergy spokesman Patrick Brennan said: "It could be that Northern Ireland people are more intrinsically generous or local fundraisers are doing a better job."
The Family Expenditure Survey found that 47 per cent of those polled in the North gave away money, compared with the UK average of 30 per cent.
Charities benefiting range from those combating famine in Africa to supporting cancer research in Northern Ireland. The portion of income given was 1.7 per cent.
The UK-wide 2006 snapshot showed people in the South of Great Britain were donating more than those in the North. Levels ranged from £15 per month in the East Midlands to £83 in London.
nfpSynergy is conducting an analysis of the research, which was based on 6,000 households across the UK. The group specialises in voluntary sector issues.