Unpaid Services: Approximately One-Third of French Citizens Devote Their Time to Causes or Organizations, Yet Dedication Appears to be Decreasing
First Glance at French Volunteering Trends
The latest study by Ifop for France Bénévolat reveals intriguing insights about volunteering in France. By 2025, one-third of the French populace will be volunteering their time selflessly—19 million volunteers to be exact. Here's a breakdown:
- 21% will be working for associations, representing 12 million volunteers.
- Approximately 3% will be dedicated to causes outside of associations, making up around 2 million volunteers.
- 11% will be providing help informally to people outside their family circle, amounting to 6 million volunteers.
However, the spirit of volunteering is slowly waning, with a declining engagement rate of 36%, dipping from the 40% recorded in 2013. Even though associative volunteering rates are maintaining almost the same level compared to 2022, they still haven’t bounced back to pre-pandemic levels (24% in 2019 and 25% before that).
Volunteering and Age
Age seems to play a pivotal role in determining volunteering trends. Among the youngest (15-34), associative volunteering has seen a steady rise, with over a quarter (23%) participating compared to the 22% recorded before the pandemic. However, a recovery among the 35-49 age group hasn't managed to reach the 2019 level (18% in both 2025 and 2019). To access the pre-2010 levels, you'd have to go all the way back to 2010 (17%).
Older volunteers are taking a step back, with associative volunteering declining significantly among those aged 65 and over (38% in 2010 to 24% in 2025). The 50-64 age group is also experiencing a continuous decline (26% in 2010 and 18% in 2025).
The survey also points out that female volunteers represent a smaller percentage (19%) compared to their male counterparts (23%). On the flip side, one-time or occasional volunteering has dwindled in 2025 (28%) after peaking in 2022 (32%).
The Non-Volunteers
Two-thirds of the French, or approximately 35 million people, don't partake in volunteering. Reasons for not volunteering are varied, with lack of time being the most common, followed by logistical issues within the organizations themselves.
Among those who’ve previously volunteered but have since stopped, 80% cite personal reasons, mainly due to time constraints. Nearly half (45%) of those who’ve never volunteered also cite lack of time as the reason. Lack of information about available opportunities is also a factor, with 11% expressing this concern. Some individuals without a high school diploma (12%) fear they might lack the necessary skills for volunteering.
Interestingly, more than 25 million people haven't ruled out becoming or rejoining the volunteering scene. They'd need more spare time, and a personal approach by an association volunteer would help convince them. Offering them mission assignments tailored to their aspirations and skills, flexible hours, and limited duration engagements are essential to pique their interest.
Methodology
This insightful study was conducted in January 2025 by the Ifop team through an online, self-administered questionnaire survey of a nationally-representative sample of 6,337 individuals aged 15 and above.
- By 2025, it's predicted that decreases in the engagement rate of volunteering in France will lead to lifestyle choices that exclude home-and-garden activities for a sizeable portion of the population.
- Given the study's findings, there could be a potential decrease in the number of French volunteers providing help informally to people outside their family circle by 2025.
- French volunteers contributing to causes outside associations may see a decrease in their numbers as we approach 2025, in line with the overall trend of declining volunteer engagement rates.
- Moving forward, with the declining rate of volunteering in France, there could be a decrease in the number of French individuals filling out questionnaires regarding home-and-garden activities and related political matters.
