More than 4.2 million people in Spain, representing 10.1% of the population aged 14 and over, have engaged in volunteering activities this year. This data comes from the annual report by the Plataforma del Voluntariado de España (PVE), which outlines the volunteer profile and trends for 2024.
The PVE conducted 1,225 surveys during the second quarter of the year. Notably, the data does not include the surge in volunteering following the September DANA storms. The Plataforma del Voluntariado de la Comunidad Valenciana estimates that 20,000 people participated in related efforts in the region. The findings were published to coincide with International Volunteer Day on 5 December.
The profile of a volunteer in Spain
The typical volunteer in Spain is a woman aged between 45 and 54 who has been engaged in social causes for over a decade. She usually resides in a medium-sized or large city, is employed, and has a medium to high income.
Half of the volunteers have an average income ranging from €1,001 to €3,500 per month. Meanwhile, 22.8% report high incomes (€3,501 or more), and 10.3% earn less than €1,000. Young people aged 14 to 24 now make up 13.1% of all volunteers, reflecting a growth in youth participation. Most new volunteers this year fall between 14 and 34 years of age.
Gender and volunteering types
Women make up 55% of volunteers, compared to 45% for men. However, the types of volunteer activities vary between genders. Women tend to focus on social, environmental, social health, and international initiatives, while men are more likely to volunteer in sports or civil protection roles.
Diversity among volunteers
Foreign volunteers account for 12% of participants, with a noticeable presence during solidarity efforts in Valencia. However, volunteering among individuals with disabilities decreased slightly to 8.1% of the total. The PVE urges organisations to enhance accessibility to ensure inclusivity.
Barriers to volunteering
The report identifies lack of time as the main reason people do not volunteer, followed by family responsibilities. Among women, 25.2% cite family duties compared to 17% of men. Dissatisfaction with NGOs (16.9%) and lack of motivation (16.2%) are also significant factors. However, informal participation in volunteer initiatives remains common, with 20.6% of respondents contributing occasionally.
Looking ahead, 18.7% of those surveyed expressed intentions to begin volunteering in 2025.
Volunteering continues to play a vital role in Spanish society, with participation growing among younger generations and foreign residents. Yet, challenges such as time constraints and accessibility persist. As the country recently celebrated International Volunteer Day, the PVE’s findings highlight the importance of ongoing efforts to expand and support the volunteer community.