The amount that Canadians donate to charity, as a percentage of their income claimed on their taxes, has been decreasing the past few years.

That from a new study published by the Fraser Institute that’s hot off the press this morning.

Alex Whalen, Senior Economist at the Fraser Institute, says the “generosity index” is measured by the percentage tax filers donating to charity, and also the share of annual income given to charity.

He says 15.7 per cent of tax filers in Newfoundland and Labrador donate to charity, which is down from 25 per cent from only a decade ago. Trends across Canada reflect similar reductions with the national average being 17.7 per cent.

Whalen says income and taxation are usually two determinants when it comes to the level of charitable donations.

He says the four Atlantic provinces have some of the highest taxation rates in North America meaning there is less left over for giving.