Despite sagging economic conditions, Koreans’ donation for charity increased 20 percent in 2011 from 2009, according to a survey.

The Beautiful Fund, a nonprofit organization, unveiled the result of its survey of 1,029 people conducted in June and July to look into Koreans’ charitable activities and attitudes.

The average amount of yearly donation per person was 219,000 won ($198), up 20 percent from 182,000 won in 2009, according to research.

The rate of participation in charity donation also slightly increased from 55.7 percent to 57.5 percent during the same period.

Around 77 percent of religious people answered that they donated in 2011 while 52 percent of non-religious people did.

Those in their 40s, university graduates and people who were self-employed were the most generous givers.

Those in the highest and lowest income brackets donated a higher percentage of their earnings than the middle income group.

Donors picked empathy and social responsibility as their main motivations.

The Beautiful Mind was founded by Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon in 2000.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)