Over the past four decades, the World Values Survey (WVS) has provided critical insights into global attitudes toward volunteering. Conducted between 1981 and 2022, the survey reveals patterns of civic engagement across various sectors, highlighting both strengths and gaps in volunteer participation. As the world moves towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, understanding these trends is vital for shaping policies and initiatives that enhance collective efforts for global progress. According to the survey, individuals are more likely to engage in social welfare and religious organizations than in environmental, political, or peace-related initiatives. This pattern has remained relatively consistent over the years, reflecting cultural and societal priorities that shape volunteer behaviour.
High Engagement in Social Welfare and Religious Organizations
Among the surveyed groups, social welfare services for the elderly, handicapped, or deprived people saw strong participation, with 10.02% of respondents mentioning engagement. Similarly, religious or church organizations attracted the highest engagement at 19.66%. This highlights the enduring role of faith-based and humanitarian groups in fostering community support.
These findings align with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), as volunteers in these sectors contribute directly to supporting vulnerable populations. The challenge, however, is ensuring that these efforts are integrated into formal structures that enhance long-term social impact rather than being limited to ad-hoc charitable activities.
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Moderate Involvement in Political and Civic Engagement
Participation in labour unions (4.23%), political parties (6.50%), and local political action groups (6.10%) remained relatively low throughout the survey period. This suggests a persistent gap in political engagement, despite the increasing importance of civic participation in democratic governance.
For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), this is a crucial area of concern. Strong institutions thrive on active citizen engagement, and low volunteerism in these sectors may indicate a lack of trust in political systems or a limited understanding of how individuals can contribute to policy development. Governments and civil society organizations must address this gap by promoting civic education and creating more accessible pathways for political participation.
Limited Participation in Environmental and Animal Rights Organizations
Perhaps the most concerning finding is the low engagement in environmental conservation and animal rights volunteering. Only 4.70% of respondents mentioned involvement in environmental causes, while a mere 0.92% cited participation in environmental conservation and ecology.
As the world faces escalating climate challenges, these numbers suggest an urgent need to mobilize public participation in climate action (SDG 13). Governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and businesses must intensify awareness campaigns, incorporate environmental education into school curricula, and provide tangible incentives for individuals to engage in sustainability efforts.
Health and Peace Movements: Areas of Concern
Organizations concerned with health saw only 5.98% engagement, while peace movements garnered 3.43%. Given the global health crises, including pandemics, mental health concerns, and healthcare accessibility, these numbers raise concerns about the prioritization of health-related volunteering.
The low participation in peace movements similarly poses challenges for SDG 16. With geopolitical conflicts and social unrest on the rise, fostering volunteer-driven peace initiatives should be a global priority. Governments and international organizations should consider integrating peace education programs and community conflict-resolution initiatives to encourage greater involvement.
Exhibit 1: People’s interest in various volunteering types (in percentage)
Strategies for Strengthening Volunteerism
Volunteerism holds the power to transform societies, yet the disparities in engagement revealed by the World Values Survey indicate that much work remains to be done. To truly harness the potential of volunteerism for sustainable development, we must address the gaps (both in awareness and participation) by fostering a culture of civic engagement that is inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to global challenges.
One of the most pressing concerns is the unequal distribution of volunteer participation across different sectors. Religious organizations, social welfare services, and cultural activities receive significant attention, yet environmental conservation, human rights, and peace movements struggle to attract sustained involvement. This imbalance suggests that while people recognize the importance of community and tradition, causes that address long-term systemic challenges require more visibility and advocacy. Bridging this gap means rethinking how we engage volunteers, ensuring that all causes, especially those directly linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), receive the necessary support.
A key strategy lies in education and awareness. Many individuals may not volunteer simply because they are unaware of the impact they can have. Schools, workplaces, and digital platforms can play a vital role in embedding a sense of civic duty from an early age. Integrating volunteerism into formal education, through service-learning programs or community-based projects, can inspire lifelong commitment. Governments and organizations should also invest in campaigns that highlight the direct impact of volunteering on social progress, demonstrating how small actions contribute to broader global goals.
Another critical factor is accessibility. Volunteering should not be a privilege available only to those with time and financial stability. Many people, particularly in low-income communities, may be willing to contribute but lack the resources or flexible opportunities to do so. To address this, organizations must develop more inclusive models of volunteer engagement such as micro-volunteering, remote opportunities, and skills-based initiatives that allow individuals to contribute based on their expertise and availability. Providing stipends or incentives for volunteers, particularly in high-impact areas like human rights and environmental conservation, could also help bridge economic barriers to participation.
Technology presents another avenue for strengthening global volunteerism. Digital platforms can connect people across borders, enabling collaboration on pressing issues regardless of geographic limitations. From virtual mentorship programs to online advocacy campaigns, leveraging technology can expand the reach of volunteer-driven initiatives and create opportunities for those who might otherwise struggle to participate. Additionally, organizations should embrace data-driven strategies to track participation trends, understand volunteer motivations, and tailor engagement efforts accordingly.
At the heart of any effective volunteer movement is collaboration. Governments, non-profits, businesses, and international organizations must work together to create an ecosystem that nurtures and sustains volunteer efforts. Public-private partnerships can provide financial and infrastructural support, while global frameworks (such as the United Nations’ SDG Action Campaign) can help align local volunteer efforts with international development goals. Encouraging cross-sector collaboration ensures that volunteerism is not just an individual act of goodwill but a strategic tool for systemic change.
Ultimately, the future of volunteerism depends on how effectively we bridge these gaps. Strengthening engagement across all sectors, making opportunities more accessible, leveraging technology, and fostering collaboration will ensure that volunteerism remains a driving force for sustainable development. As we move closer to 2030, it is clear that achieving the SDGs is not just the responsibility of governments and institutions; it is a collective effort that requires the participation of individuals and communities worldwide.
Editor’s Note: The analysis covers 41,786 responses from participants who mentioned volunteering and 633,698 responses from those who did not, across the various volunteering types considered in the survey.