Scottish Household Survey 2024: Volunteer Participation Rate Increases to 25%

These results point to the beginning of recovery for Scotland’s voluntary sector following the Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis, with the formal volunteer participation rate just one-percentage point shy of the rate of 26% in 2019. We are particularly encouraged to see a nine-percentage point increase in formal volunteering among the 16-34 age group.

Volunteer Scotland’s analysis of the 2024 Scottish Household Survey data shows us that inclusion and equity of access to formal volunteer opportunities remains a priority for the sector. While volunteer participation is up across all demographic groups, inclusion gaps are widening not closing. For example, the difference in formal volunteering rates among people living with a disability and those without has increased from 3-percentage points to 10-percentage points. Similarly, the volunteering participation gap for people living in Scotland’s most deprived communities and least deprived has increased from 12-percentage points to 15-percentage points, despite an increase in both groups. It is important that everyone is able to access volunteering and is included in the many varied benefits of volunteering – including a wellbeing uplift of up to £1000 per volunteer, per year for those who volunteer weekly with a group or organisation.

Volunteer Scotland are passionate about creating a nation of volunteers who are strengthening Scotland’s communities. In November, Volunteer Scotland launched a new strategy to support increased participation in volunteering across the Scottish voluntary sector. The Scottish Household Survey results today underscore the importance and timeliness of this work to maintain the momentum of recovery.

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