Every month, approximately 2.1 billion people—roughly 34.5 per cent of the global working-age population—engage in volunteer work. This massive contribution to human solidarity serves as a “renewable resource” for sustainable development, yet much of it remains invisible to traditional data collection.
The 2026 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report highlights that while global participation is high, the nature of this work is shifting from formal organisations to horizontal, peer-to-peer support.
Regional Participation: Africa Leads the Way
Volunteer rates vary significantly across the globe, often reflecting deep-seated cultural values of mutual aid. Africa currently records the highest rate of participation, where nearly 60 per cent of the working-age population volunteers monthly.
| Region | Monthly Volunteer Rate | Gender Breakdown |
| Africa | 58.5% | Men (63.1%) / Women (54.0%) |
| Asia and the Pacific | ~30-32% | Men (34.6%) / Women (29.0%) |
| The Americas | ~30-32% | Data consistent with Asia-Pacific |
| Europe and Central Asia | 24% | No significant difference by sex |
| Arab States | 24% | Significant difference by sex |
Across most regions, men tend to volunteer slightly more than women, with global averages sitting at 36.9 per cent for men compared to 32.1 per cent for women.
The Power of “Direct” Volunteering
One of the most critical insights from the 2026 report is that most volunteer work happens outside formal organisations. This “direct volunteering”—such as helping neighbours or providing informal community support—accounts for 25 per cent of working-age participation globally. In contrast, only 11.7 per cent of people volunteer through registered organisations or groups.
This finding has major implications for global development. It demonstrates that resilience and social capital are often built horizontally through peer networks rather than vertically through institutions. If policymakers focus only on registered organisations, they risk overlooking the most trusted and widespread forms of civic action, particularly in the Global South.
Why the “Surge” in Numbers?
At first glance, the jump from a 14.9 per cent volunteer rate in 2022 to 34.5 per cent in 2026 appears to be a sudden explosion in participation. However, the report clarifies that this is not a “surge” in activity but an improvement in measurement.
New UNV surveys were specifically designed to capture under-measured forms of volunteer work in low- and middle-income countries. By including these informal activities, the data finally reflects the true scale of human contribution to community life.
A Roadmap for Policy and Action
Reliable statistics on volunteerism provide a roadmap for more effective governance. By identifying where communities are already solving their own problems through mutual aid, policymakers can:
- Identify critical gaps in public services.
- Guide more efficient resource allocation.
- Support community-driven solutions that already have local trust.
Ultimately, acknowledging volunteerism in data is about more than just counting hours; it is about building a more equitable, resilient, and inclusive future.
Q&A: Global Volunteerism in Focus
Is the world volunteering more than it used to?
Not necessarily. While the reported rate has risen to 34.5%, the report explains this is due to better measurement tools and surveys that finally count informal, direct help between neighbours.
Why are volunteer rates so high in Africa?
Africa’s 58.5% participation rate reflects the central role of mutual aid in community life, where horizontal peer-to-peer networks are the primary source of resilience.
What is the difference between “Direct” and “Organizational” volunteering?
Direct volunteering (25% of people) involves informal help given directly to others, while organisational volunteering (11.7%) is done through registered groups or institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How many people volunteer worldwide every month? Approximately 2.1 billion people engage in some form of volunteer work monthly.
2. Who volunteers more: men or women? Globally, men (36.9%) volunteer slightly more than women (32.1%), though this varies by region. In Europe and Central Asia, there is no significant difference between genders.
3. Which region has the lowest volunteer rates? Europe, Central Asia, and the Arab States have the lowest estimated rates at 24 per cent.
4. Why should governments track volunteer data? Regular measurement helps policymakers align national statistics with international standards (like the ICLS definition) and acknowledges human solidarity as a key resource for development.
5. What is “Horizontal Social Capital”? It refers to the trust and support networks built between peers and neighbours, which the report identifies as a more widespread form of civic action than formal, “vertical” institutional groups
