Donations reach nearly 12 tln won in 2013: data

SEJONG, April 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean individuals and companies donated nearly 12 trillion won (US$11.5 billion) last year, which represented about 1 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), data showed Wednesday. According to the data provided by Statistics Korea, donations by individuals and corporate entities came to 11.8 trillion won last year. The figures are based on donations reported to the National Tax Service. Individuals donated 7.7 trillion won, which made up 65.3 percent of the total, while corporate entities gave 4.1 trillion won or 34.7 percent, the data showed. The amount represented 0.9 percent of the country's GDP, which is relatively lower than other advanced countries. The ratio for the United States stood at around 1.8 percent. Donations have been rising steadily in recent years. People and companies donated about 8.1 trillion won in 2006. The contributions topped 10 trillion won in 2010 and rose to 11.8 trillion won in 2012. More people have also been giving in recent years. The ratio of people, aged 15 or older, engaging in donation activity for one year stood at 34.5 percent last year, up from 31.6 percent in 2006, the data showed. kokobj@yna.co.kr (END)