Share of people volunteering in an association in France 2010-2022
While volunteering can take place in a variety of contexts, such as in a political, religious or municipal organization, with one or more individuals, or in a virtual setting, most French volunteers are active in associations. Between 2010 and 2016, the proportion of people volunteering in associations increased. In 2010, 22.6 percent of French people were volunteers, compared to one quarter in 2016. Since then, this proportion has been declining, and reached 20.1 percent in 2022.
Regarding the age of the volunteers, it is necessary to wait until the 65-69 age group to observe a significant increase (nearly ten points) in the share of French people involved in an association. This proportion peaks between the ages of 70 and 74 (32 percent), and remains high until the age of 80. Older people are also more likely to participate in volunteer activities on a weekly basis than younger French people. In contrast, only 14 percent of people aged 45-49 were volunteering in an association in 2022. In addition, the higher the level of diploma, the more common it is to volunteer in an association. In 2022, 27 percent of people with a higher education degree were involved in an association, compared to 17 percent of those with only a baccalaureat, and 15 percent of those with a vocational training certificate or a vocational diploma.
In 2022, more than seven out of ten volunteers cited contact and exchange with others as the main source of satisfaction in their activity. Many of them also found satisfaction in the pleasure of being useful and efficient, as well as in the conviviality of the environment.
Who are the volunteers?
Over the period from 2010 to 2022, with the exception of 2019, the share of men active in associations was higher than that of women. In 2022, 22 percent of men were volunteers, compared with 18 percent of their female counterparts.Regarding the age of the volunteers, it is necessary to wait until the 65-69 age group to observe a significant increase (nearly ten points) in the share of French people involved in an association. This proportion peaks between the ages of 70 and 74 (32 percent), and remains high until the age of 80. Older people are also more likely to participate in volunteer activities on a weekly basis than younger French people. In contrast, only 14 percent of people aged 45-49 were volunteering in an association in 2022. In addition, the higher the level of diploma, the more common it is to volunteer in an association. In 2022, 27 percent of people with a higher education degree were involved in an association, compared to 17 percent of those with only a baccalaureat, and 15 percent of those with a vocational training certificate or a vocational diploma.
Volunteer motivations
Feeling useful and acting for others is the main driving force behind volunteers who get involved in unpaid activities as diverse as sports, culture or leisure, humanitarian work, health, social action, defence of rights, defence of the environment and biodiversity, or education. Many are also involved for personal fulfillment or because of the cause they are defending. Moreover, when we look at the expressions that volunteers use to describe their activity, the notions of citizenship and usefulness are the most often mentioned.In 2022, more than seven out of ten volunteers cited contact and exchange with others as the main source of satisfaction in their activity. Many of them also found satisfaction in the pleasure of being useful and efficient, as well as in the conviviality of the environment.
