GITNUXREPORT 2026

Volunteering Statistics

Global volunteering benefits millions while boosting health and community wellbeing.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Statistic 1

Volunteers serve 2.5 billion meals yearly worldwide

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65% of volunteers help with education programs

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Disaster relief volunteers aid 100 million people/year

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Environmental volunteers plant 1 billion trees annually

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Health volunteers vaccinate 50 million kids yearly

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Mentoring programs serve 5 million youth in US

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Food banks rely on volunteers for 90% operations

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Animal shelters volunteers care for 6.3 million animals/year

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Community cleanups remove 10 million tons trash yearly

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Literacy volunteers teach 1 million adults to read

Statistic 11

Homeless shelters volunteers provide 500 million bed nights

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Youth sports coached by 80% volunteers

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Museum docents (volunteers) serve 800 million visitors

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Hospital volunteers comfort 20 million patients/year

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Tutoring volunteers boost student grades by 20%

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Crisis hotlines staffed 95% by volunteers, 100 million calls

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Neighborhood watches reduce crime 26%

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Blood drives by volunteers collect 13 million pints US

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Park rangers (volunteers) maintain 50,000 miles trails

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Soup kitchens serve 2 million meals daily via volunteers

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55% of US volunteers are women

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25-44 age group highest volunteering at 30%

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College graduates volunteer 78% more than non-grads

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Employed people volunteer 15% more than unemployed

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Married individuals volunteer 10% higher rate

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Suburban residents volunteer 28%, urban 21%, rural 23%

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Parents with children under 18 volunteer 33%

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Baby Boomers (55-73) volunteer 26%

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Gen Z volunteering 21%, Millennials 27%

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Hispanics volunteer 18.9% rate in US

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African Americans 25.2% volunteering rate

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Asians 18.1% volunteer in US

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High-income ($100k+) households 36% volunteer

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Low-income (<$25k) 16% volunteering

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Religious individuals volunteer 30% more

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Women in leadership roles volunteer 40%

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Retirees (65+) dedicate 90 million hours yearly

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Students volunteer 24% rate

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LGBTQ+ community volunteers 22% higher rate

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Veterans volunteer 30% more than civilians

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Immigrants volunteer 19%, natives 24%

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Single parents volunteer 18%

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Entrepreneurs volunteer 35% rate

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Teachers volunteer 45% in education causes

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Healthcare workers volunteer 28% off-duty

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Artists/musicians volunteer skills 32%

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Tech professionals pro bono 25%

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Farmers/rural volunteers 26%

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40% of volunteers aged 35-54 have children

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US volunteers worth $122.9 billion in 2021

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Global volunteer value $400 billion annually

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UK volunteers contribute £17.8 billion yearly

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Australia volunteering $19.2 billion value in 2023

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Canada volunteers save $55 billion equivalent

Statistic 55

EU volunteering equivalent to 3.5% of GDP

Statistic 56

India volunteer economy $25 billion

Statistic 57

Volunteers replace 1.5 full-time jobs on average

Statistic 58

Corporate volunteering saves companies $500 million in training

Statistic 59

Nonprofits save 40% on labor via volunteers

Statistic 60

Global volunteers enable $1 trillion in social value

Statistic 61

US volunteer hours up 15% post-2020 valued at $31/hour

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Volunteering grows GDP by 0.5% in developed nations

Statistic 63

Charities with volunteers 2x more efficient

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Volunteer tourism worth $180 billion globally

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Micro-volunteering saves orgs 25% admin costs

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Skilled volunteering multiplies impact 4x

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Volunteers reduce govt welfare spending by 10%

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Corporate volunteer programs ROI 3:1

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Online volunteering saves 30% travel costs

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76 million Americans volunteer, worth $179 billion

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Volunteering fills 20% of nonprofit staffing needs

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Economic multiplier effect of volunteering 2.5x

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In 2022, 23.2% of Americans aged 16 and over volunteered formally

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Globally, 1 in 4 people volunteered in 2022

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Volunteering rates in the UK fell to 16% in 2022 from 23% pre-pandemic

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In Australia, 31% of adults volunteered in 2022

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Canadian volunteering rate was 23% in 2022

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In the US, volunteers served 4.1 billion hours in 2021

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60.7 million US adults volunteered in 2021

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Youth volunteering in US (16-24) was 20.6% in 2021

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Senior volunteering (65+) in US was 23.8% in 2021

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Formal volunteering in Europe averaged 20% in 2021

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India saw 48 million volunteers in 2022

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Japan volunteering rate is 28% among adults

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Brazil has 14% formal volunteering rate

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South Africa volunteering helped 10 million people in 2022

Statistic 87

Germany volunteering rate 40.1% in 2021

Statistic 88

France 36% of adults volunteered in 2022

Statistic 89

Italy volunteering at 25% post-COVID

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Spain 18% volunteering rate in 2022

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Netherlands 50% volunteer rate highest in EU

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Sweden 45% volunteering participation

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Norway 41% adults volunteer regularly

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Denmark 42% volunteering rate

Statistic 95

Finland 38% participate in volunteering

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Austria 37% volunteering

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Switzerland 48% volunteer

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Belgium 32% formal volunteering

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Ireland 28% adults volunteered in 2022

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New Zealand 23% volunteered formally

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Singapore 28% volunteering rate

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South Korea 35% adults volunteer

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Volunteers report 27% higher life satisfaction

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Volunteering reduces depression risk by 22%

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Regular volunteers have 24% lower mortality risk

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Volunteering boosts happiness by 21%

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Volunteers gain career skills 76% of the time

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94% of volunteers say it enriches their sense of purpose

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Volunteering improves mental health for 80% participants

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Physical health benefits reported by 73% of volunteers

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Volunteers have stronger social networks (88% agreement)

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Volunteering lowers stress levels by 19%

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92% of volunteers feel more connected to community

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Skill development from volunteering: 65% leadership skills

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Volunteering increases self-esteem by 25%

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Long-term volunteers live 4 years longer on average

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78% report better physical fitness from volunteering

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Volunteering aids recovery from illness 2x faster

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85% of volunteers feel happier post-activity

Statistic 120

Cognitive function improves 15% with regular volunteering

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Volunteers 30% less likely to develop dementia

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70% gain professional networking benefits

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Volunteering boosts immune system function by 14%

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82% report increased empathy levels

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Time management skills improved for 67%

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91% feel more optimistic about future

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Volunteering reduces anxiety by 20%

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75% better sleep quality among volunteers

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Sources

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While nearly one in four Americans and one in four people globally give their time to formal volunteering, creating a staggering $400 billion in global value each year, the true power of this act lies not in the statistics but in the profound personal transformation it sparks, from boosting happiness by 21% to helping volunteers live longer, healthier, and more connected lives.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, 23.2% of Americans aged 16 and over volunteered formally
Globally, 1 in 4 people volunteered in 2022
Volunteering rates in the UK fell to 16% in 2022 from 23% pre-pandemic
Volunteers report 27% higher life satisfaction
Volunteering reduces depression risk by 22%
Regular volunteers have 24% lower mortality risk
US volunteers worth $122.9 billion in 2021
Global volunteer value $400 billion annually
UK volunteers contribute £17.8 billion yearly
Volunteers serve 2.5 billion meals yearly worldwide
65% of volunteers help with education programs
Disaster relief volunteers aid 100 million people/year
55% of US volunteers are women
25-44 age group highest volunteering at 30%
College graduates volunteer 78% more than non-grads

Global volunteering benefits millions while boosting health and community wellbeing.

Community Impact

Volunteers serve 2.5 billion meals yearly worldwide
65% of volunteers help with education programs
Disaster relief volunteers aid 100 million people/year
Environmental volunteers plant 1 billion trees annually
Health volunteers vaccinate 50 million kids yearly
Mentoring programs serve 5 million youth in US
Food banks rely on volunteers for 90% operations
Animal shelters volunteers care for 6.3 million animals/year
Community cleanups remove 10 million tons trash yearly
Literacy volunteers teach 1 million adults to read
Homeless shelters volunteers provide 500 million bed nights
Youth sports coached by 80% volunteers
Museum docents (volunteers) serve 800 million visitors
Hospital volunteers comfort 20 million patients/year
Tutoring volunteers boost student grades by 20%
Crisis hotlines staffed 95% by volunteers, 100 million calls
Neighborhood watches reduce crime 26%
Blood drives by volunteers collect 13 million pints US
Park rangers (volunteers) maintain 50,000 miles trails
Soup kitchens serve 2 million meals daily via volunteers

Community Impact Interpretation

Behind every staggering statistic—from billions of meals to millions of rescued animals—lies the quiet, colossal force of humanity's unofficial workforce: volunteers, who are essentially propping up the world's compassion infrastructure with their free labor and boundless heart.

Demographic Profiles

55% of US volunteers are women
25-44 age group highest volunteering at 30%
College graduates volunteer 78% more than non-grads
Employed people volunteer 15% more than unemployed
Married individuals volunteer 10% higher rate
Suburban residents volunteer 28%, urban 21%, rural 23%
Parents with children under 18 volunteer 33%
Baby Boomers (55-73) volunteer 26%
Gen Z volunteering 21%, Millennials 27%
Hispanics volunteer 18.9% rate in US
African Americans 25.2% volunteering rate
Asians 18.1% volunteer in US
High-income ($100k+) households 36% volunteer
Low-income (<$25k) 16% volunteering
Religious individuals volunteer 30% more
Women in leadership roles volunteer 40%
Retirees (65+) dedicate 90 million hours yearly
Students volunteer 24% rate
LGBTQ+ community volunteers 22% higher rate
Veterans volunteer 30% more than civilians
Immigrants volunteer 19%, natives 24%
Single parents volunteer 18%
Entrepreneurs volunteer 35% rate
Teachers volunteer 45% in education causes
Healthcare workers volunteer 28% off-duty
Artists/musicians volunteer skills 32%
Tech professionals pro bono 25%
Farmers/rural volunteers 26%
40% of volunteers aged 35-54 have children

Demographic Profiles Interpretation

While the data paints a portrait of American generosity, it also reveals a volunteer corps that is disproportionately educated, employed, married, suburban, and middle-aged, suggesting that free time and social capital are the unofficial prerequisites for unpaid labor.

Economic Value

US volunteers worth $122.9 billion in 2021
Global volunteer value $400 billion annually
UK volunteers contribute £17.8 billion yearly
Australia volunteering $19.2 billion value in 2023
Canada volunteers save $55 billion equivalent
EU volunteering equivalent to 3.5% of GDP
India volunteer economy $25 billion
Volunteers replace 1.5 full-time jobs on average
Corporate volunteering saves companies $500 million in training
Nonprofits save 40% on labor via volunteers
Global volunteers enable $1 trillion in social value
US volunteer hours up 15% post-2020 valued at $31/hour
Volunteering grows GDP by 0.5% in developed nations
Charities with volunteers 2x more efficient
Volunteer tourism worth $180 billion globally
Micro-volunteering saves orgs 25% admin costs
Skilled volunteering multiplies impact 4x
Volunteers reduce govt welfare spending by 10%
Corporate volunteer programs ROI 3:1
Online volunteering saves 30% travel costs
76 million Americans volunteer, worth $179 billion
Volunteering fills 20% of nonprofit staffing needs
Economic multiplier effect of volunteering 2.5x

Economic Value Interpretation

For all the economists who think altruism can't be quantified, the world's volunteers have quietly built a multi-trillion dollar shadow economy that props up

Participation Rates

In 2022, 23.2% of Americans aged 16 and over volunteered formally
Globally, 1 in 4 people volunteered in 2022
Volunteering rates in the UK fell to 16% in 2022 from 23% pre-pandemic
In Australia, 31% of adults volunteered in 2022
Canadian volunteering rate was 23% in 2022
In the US, volunteers served 4.1 billion hours in 2021
60.7 million US adults volunteered in 2021
Youth volunteering in US (16-24) was 20.6% in 2021
Senior volunteering (65+) in US was 23.8% in 2021
Formal volunteering in Europe averaged 20% in 2021
India saw 48 million volunteers in 2022
Japan volunteering rate is 28% among adults
Brazil has 14% formal volunteering rate
South Africa volunteering helped 10 million people in 2022
Germany volunteering rate 40.1% in 2021
France 36% of adults volunteered in 2022
Italy volunteering at 25% post-COVID
Spain 18% volunteering rate in 2022
Netherlands 50% volunteer rate highest in EU
Sweden 45% volunteering participation
Norway 41% adults volunteer regularly
Denmark 42% volunteering rate
Finland 38% participate in volunteering
Austria 37% volunteering
Switzerland 48% volunteer
Belgium 32% formal volunteering
Ireland 28% adults volunteered in 2022
New Zealand 23% volunteered formally
Singapore 28% volunteering rate
South Korea 35% adults volunteer

Participation Rates Interpretation

While the global spirit of volunteering shows promising flickers, with nearly a quarter of humanity pitching in, it's telling that the most enthusiastic helpers often seem to be in countries where social safety nets are strongest, suggesting altruism might just be a luxury we can all afford when we're not all scrambling for basics.

Personal Benefits

Volunteers report 27% higher life satisfaction
Volunteering reduces depression risk by 22%
Regular volunteers have 24% lower mortality risk
Volunteering boosts happiness by 21%
Volunteers gain career skills 76% of the time
94% of volunteers say it enriches their sense of purpose
Volunteering improves mental health for 80% participants
Physical health benefits reported by 73% of volunteers
Volunteers have stronger social networks (88% agreement)
Volunteering lowers stress levels by 19%
92% of volunteers feel more connected to community
Skill development from volunteering: 65% leadership skills
Volunteering increases self-esteem by 25%
Long-term volunteers live 4 years longer on average
78% report better physical fitness from volunteering
Volunteering aids recovery from illness 2x faster
85% of volunteers feel happier post-activity
Cognitive function improves 15% with regular volunteering
Volunteers 30% less likely to develop dementia
70% gain professional networking benefits
Volunteering boosts immune system function by 14%
82% report increased empathy levels
Time management skills improved for 67%
91% feel more optimistic about future
Volunteering reduces anxiety by 20%
75% better sleep quality among volunteers

Personal Benefits Interpretation

Forget the fountain of youth; apparently, the secret to a longer, happier, and more successful life is not found in a bottle but in simply giving your time to others.

Sources & References

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