GITNUXREPORT 2025

Volunteering Statistics

Volunteerism boosts economy, health, community; youth and seniors lead participation.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

In the United States, about 25.3% of the population volunteers annually

Statistic 2

Young people aged 16-19 volunteer at a rate of about 42%

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Women are more likely to volunteer than men, with 26.3% of women volunteering versus 22.3% of men

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The median age of volunteers in the US is approximately 49 years

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52% of Americans say they volunteered in the past year

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Nearly 75% of nonprofit organizations rely on volunteers as a core part of their workforce

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Volunteering rates are highest among people aged 65 and older, with around 32%

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Millennials are the largest generation of volunteers, making up about 35% of all volunteers

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Over 220 million Americans aged 16 and older are eligible to volunteer

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People with higher education levels are more likely to volunteer, with rates of about 29%

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The average age of volunteer service in many countries is increasing, with a notable rise among seniors

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The most common age group for volunteering in the US is 35-44 years, with about 28%

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The volunteer rate in Canada is approximately 44%, slightly higher than the US

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Volunteer participation is higher in urban areas, with rates approximately 29%, compared to rural areas at about 24%

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The average age of first-time volunteers is decreasing, with many starting around age 12-14

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Over 77 million Americans volunteered through or for an organization in 2020

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Volunteers contributed approximately 6.9 billion hours of service in 2020, equivalent to about 3.3 million full-time jobs

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The economic value of volunteer work in the US is estimated to be over $188 billion annually

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Financial scientists estimate that the annual economic value of unpaid volunteer work in the UK exceeds £23 billion

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70% of volunteers reported that volunteering improved their mental health

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73% of volunteers believe volunteering makes them feel healthier

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The top motivation for volunteering among adults is a desire to help others, at over 66%

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Approximately 66% of volunteers are motivated by religious or spiritual reasons

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45% of volunteers in the US report that volunteering has led to a new career opportunity

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62% of volunteers report that volunteering helps develop new skills and improve existing ones

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Volunteer retention rates are approximately 50%, indicating half of volunteers return year after year

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Inspiring stories and personal connections are cited as the primary motivation for young volunteers, over 70%

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75% of nonprofit organizations report that volunteers are essential to achieving their mission

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41% of volunteers report that they gained a new sense of purpose through volunteering

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Half of all volunteers say they started volunteering by a personal request from someone they know

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The most common reasons for volunteering include wanting to help others (over 70%) and to be part of a community (about 55%)

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The volunteer retention rate among organizations is about 45%, with some sectors experiencing higher rates up to 60%

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Approximately 81% of volunteers report that they feel more socially connected after volunteering

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The highest rate of volunteering occurs in the Midwest, with about 27%

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The geographic areas with the highest volunteer rates tend to be rural communities, with rates over 30%

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The top sectors for volunteer growth include health, education, and social services, with a 10-15% increase in participation from 2018 to 2022

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Approximately 51% of volunteers donate money in addition to their time

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Over 40% of volunteers are involved in religious or faith-based activities

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The most common volunteer activity among adults is collecting and distributing food, clothes, or other goods, at about 40%

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The most common volunteering sector is human services, accounting for over 43% of volunteers

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The average volunteer spends about 52 hours per year volunteering

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In the U.S., volunteerism rates have generally increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some increases in virtual volunteering

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Nearly 60% of volunteers perform their service once a month or more frequently

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Approximately 22 million Americans volunteer in their local schools annually

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61% of Americans who volunteer do so at least once a year

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About 44% of volunteers are involved in youth organizations or schools

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The majority of volunteers (over 80%) operate on a flexible schedule, often adapting to their personal availability

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Women are more likely than men to volunteer through religious organizations, with about 56% vs. 44%

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Approximately 58% of volunteers who are employed work part-time, indicating a high level of community engagement among part-time workers

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The top skill areas developed through volunteering are communication, leadership, and teamwork, according to 65% of volunteers

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The percentage of volunteers participating in environmental conservation activities is around 20%

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Approximately 65% of volunteers are involved in one organization, while 35% serve multiple organizations

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The engagement of volunteers has shown a 15% increase during the pandemic, especially in virtual and online volunteering opportunities

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In Australia, nearly 51% of the population volunteered at least once per year

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Women participate in volunteering at a higher rate during times of crisis, such as natural disasters or pandemics, with significant spikes in engagement

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Key Highlights

In the United States, about 25.3% of the population volunteers annually
Over 77 million Americans volunteered through or for an organization in 2020
Volunteers contributed approximately 6.9 billion hours of service in 2020, equivalent to about 3.3 million full-time jobs
The economic value of volunteer work in the US is estimated to be over $188 billion annually
Young people aged 16-19 volunteer at a rate of about 42%
Women are more likely to volunteer than men, with 26.3% of women volunteering versus 22.3% of men
The median age of volunteers in the US is approximately 49 years
70% of volunteers reported that volunteering improved their mental health
Approximately 51% of volunteers donate money in addition to their time
52% of Americans say they volunteered in the past year
The highest rate of volunteering occurs in the Midwest, with about 27%
Over 40% of volunteers are involved in religious or faith-based activities
The most common volunteer activity among adults is collecting and distributing food, clothes, or other goods, at about 40%

Did you know that over 77 million Americans volunteered in 2020, contributing nearly 7 billion hours—an effort valued at over $188 billion—highlighting the profound impact and personal benefits of volunteering across the United States?

Demographics and Volunteer Characteristics

In the United States, about 25.3% of the population volunteers annually
Young people aged 16-19 volunteer at a rate of about 42%
Women are more likely to volunteer than men, with 26.3% of women volunteering versus 22.3% of men
The median age of volunteers in the US is approximately 49 years
52% of Americans say they volunteered in the past year
Nearly 75% of nonprofit organizations rely on volunteers as a core part of their workforce
Volunteering rates are highest among people aged 65 and older, with around 32%
Millennials are the largest generation of volunteers, making up about 35% of all volunteers
Over 220 million Americans aged 16 and older are eligible to volunteer
People with higher education levels are more likely to volunteer, with rates of about 29%
The average age of volunteer service in many countries is increasing, with a notable rise among seniors
The most common age group for volunteering in the US is 35-44 years, with about 28%
The volunteer rate in Canada is approximately 44%, slightly higher than the US
Volunteer participation is higher in urban areas, with rates approximately 29%, compared to rural areas at about 24%
The average age of first-time volunteers is decreasing, with many starting around age 12-14

Demographics and Volunteer Characteristics Interpretation

Despite nearly three-quarters of U.S. nonprofits relying on volunteers and over half of Americans volunteering annually, it's the Millennials and seniors who are most active, revealing that both youthful enthusiasm and seasoned dedication fuel the nation's charitable engine—proof that when it comes to service, age truly is just a number.

Economic Impact and Contribution of Volunteering

Over 77 million Americans volunteered through or for an organization in 2020
Volunteers contributed approximately 6.9 billion hours of service in 2020, equivalent to about 3.3 million full-time jobs
The economic value of volunteer work in the US is estimated to be over $188 billion annually
Financial scientists estimate that the annual economic value of unpaid volunteer work in the UK exceeds £23 billion

Economic Impact and Contribution of Volunteering Interpretation

Despite the pandemic's chaos, over 77 million Americans and countless Brits demonstrated that compassion isn't just priceless—it's a powerhouse worth hundreds of billions, proving that volunteering remains the ultimate investment in our collective well-being and economy.

Motivations, Satisfaction, and Retention Factors

70% of volunteers reported that volunteering improved their mental health
73% of volunteers believe volunteering makes them feel healthier
The top motivation for volunteering among adults is a desire to help others, at over 66%
Approximately 66% of volunteers are motivated by religious or spiritual reasons
45% of volunteers in the US report that volunteering has led to a new career opportunity
62% of volunteers report that volunteering helps develop new skills and improve existing ones
Volunteer retention rates are approximately 50%, indicating half of volunteers return year after year
Inspiring stories and personal connections are cited as the primary motivation for young volunteers, over 70%
75% of nonprofit organizations report that volunteers are essential to achieving their mission
41% of volunteers report that they gained a new sense of purpose through volunteering
Half of all volunteers say they started volunteering by a personal request from someone they know
The most common reasons for volunteering include wanting to help others (over 70%) and to be part of a community (about 55%)
The volunteer retention rate among organizations is about 45%, with some sectors experiencing higher rates up to 60%
Approximately 81% of volunteers report that they feel more socially connected after volunteering

Motivations, Satisfaction, and Retention Factors Interpretation

With over 70% of volunteers reporting mental health benefits, a strong motivation rooted in altruism and spirituality, and half experiencing new career opportunities and purpose, it’s clear that volunteering not only transforms communities but also serves as a vital personal wellness and growth catalyst—even as organizations struggle to retain just about half of their dedicated volunteers year after year.

Regional and Sector-Specific Volunteer Trends

The highest rate of volunteering occurs in the Midwest, with about 27%
The geographic areas with the highest volunteer rates tend to be rural communities, with rates over 30%
The top sectors for volunteer growth include health, education, and social services, with a 10-15% increase in participation from 2018 to 2022

Regional and Sector-Specific Volunteer Trends Interpretation

As the Midwest and rural communities lead the charge with over 30% volunteering rates, it’s clear that in the heartland of America, giving back is not just a gesture but a widespread commitment—particularly in health, education, and social services, where volunteer growth is undeniably on the rise.

Volunteer Activities and Engagement Patterns

Approximately 51% of volunteers donate money in addition to their time
Over 40% of volunteers are involved in religious or faith-based activities
The most common volunteer activity among adults is collecting and distributing food, clothes, or other goods, at about 40%
The most common volunteering sector is human services, accounting for over 43% of volunteers
The average volunteer spends about 52 hours per year volunteering
In the U.S., volunteerism rates have generally increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some increases in virtual volunteering
Nearly 60% of volunteers perform their service once a month or more frequently
Approximately 22 million Americans volunteer in their local schools annually
61% of Americans who volunteer do so at least once a year
About 44% of volunteers are involved in youth organizations or schools
The majority of volunteers (over 80%) operate on a flexible schedule, often adapting to their personal availability
Women are more likely than men to volunteer through religious organizations, with about 56% vs. 44%
Approximately 58% of volunteers who are employed work part-time, indicating a high level of community engagement among part-time workers
The top skill areas developed through volunteering are communication, leadership, and teamwork, according to 65% of volunteers
The percentage of volunteers participating in environmental conservation activities is around 20%
Approximately 65% of volunteers are involved in one organization, while 35% serve multiple organizations
The engagement of volunteers has shown a 15% increase during the pandemic, especially in virtual and online volunteering opportunities
In Australia, nearly 51% of the population volunteered at least once per year
Women participate in volunteering at a higher rate during times of crisis, such as natural disasters or pandemics, with significant spikes in engagement

Volunteer Activities and Engagement Patterns Interpretation

Volunteering, with over half of Americans donating both time and money—mainly through human services, faith-based activities, and flexible schedules—proves that in a crisis, roughly 60% of us are not only willing but eager to lend a helping hand, sharpening our communication and leadership skills along the way.