Official Statistics

Community Life Survey 2024/25: Volunteering and charitable giving

Updated 10 December 2025

Applies to England

1. Formal volunteering

In the Community Life Survey, formal volunteering refers to those who have given unpaid help to groups or clubs, for example, leading a group, administrative support, mutual aid groups or befriending or mentoring people.

The survey gathers estimates for rates of formal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months, and at least once in the last 12 months.  In this chapter demographic and geographical breakdowns are outlined for the measure of formal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months.  Details for the measure of formal volunteering at least once in the last 12 months can be found in the accompanying data tables.    

1.1 Headline findings

In 2024/25:

17% of adults had participated in formal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months, no significant change from 2023/24 (16%).  

As shown in Figure 1.1, rates of formal volunteering at least once a month have declined from a high of  27% in 2013/14,  when push-to-web data collection commenced on the Community Life Survey, to a low of 16% in 2023/24.  This includes a particular decrease in rates between between 2019/20 (23%) and 2020/21 (17%), when rates may have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the associated restrictions and guidance introduced in the UK.  

In 2024/25:

28% of adults had participated in formal volunteering at least once in the last 12 months, a small, but significant, increase from 2023/24 (from 27.8% in 2023/24 to 28.4% in 2024/25). 

With the exception of the slight increase between 2023/24 and 2024/25, rates of formal volunteering at least once in the last 12 months have exhibited broadly similar trends over time as rates of formal volunteering once a month.  This includes a general decline from 45% participating in formal volunteering at least once in the last 12 months in 2013/14, to a lowest rate of 28% in 2023/24, with a particular decrease noted between 2019/20 (37%) and 2020/21 (30%). See Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1: Percentage of adults (aged 16+) who participated in formal volunteering at least once a month/at least once in the last 12 months, England: 2013/14 to 2024/25 (Base: All adults)

1.2 Demographics: Who participated in formal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months?^{[footnote 1]}

Age

Compared with the average for adults in England (17%), adults aged 65 to 74 (23%) and aged 75 and over (20%) were more likely to participate in formal volunteering at least once a month. In contrast, adults aged 25 to 34 (11%) and aged 35 to 49 (16%) were less likely to participate in formal volunteering at least once a month compared with the average for adults in England (17%).

Disability Status

No significant differences in levels of participation in formal volunteering at least once a month were observed between disabled and non-disabled adults.

Sex ^{[footnote 2]}

No significant differences in levels of participation in formal volunteering at least once a month were observed between female adults and male adults.

Gender identity ^{[footnote 3]}

No significant differences in levels of participation in formal volunteering at least once a month were observed between adults whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth and adults whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth.

Sexual Orientation ^{[footnote 4]}

Adults from the “other sexual orientation” classification (22%) and bisexual adults (20%) were more likely to participate in formal volunteering at least once a month than gay or lesbian (17%) and heterosexual or straight (17%) adults.

Ethnicity

Compared with the average for adults in England (17%), adults from the Black African (22%) and White Irish (22%) and White British^{[footnote 5]} (17.1%) ethnic groups were more likely to participate in formal volunteering at least once a month, although some of these differences were small.  Adults from Any other Asian background (10%), Any other White background (13%), Chinese (13%), Pakistani (14%) and Indian (15%) ethnic groups were less likely to participate in formal volunteering at least once a month compared with the average for adults in England (17%).

Religion

Compared with the average for adults in England (17%), Jewish adults (31%), adults from the Any other religion classification (23%), Buddhist adults (20%) and Christian adults (20%) were more likely to participate in formal volunteering at least once a month. Adults from the No religion classification (14%), Hindu adults (14%) and Muslim adults (15%) were less likely to participate in formal volunteering at least once a month compared with the average for adults in England (17%).

Socio-economic classification ^{[footnote 6]}

The proportions of adults participating in formal volunteering at least once a month were significantly different between adults from each socio-economic classification. Adults from the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations classification (21%) were more likely to participate in formal volunteering at least once a month. This was followed by adults from the intermediate occupations classification (16%), then by adults from the never worked or long-term unemployed classification (13%), and finally by adults from the routine and manual occupations classification (11%).

Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 7]}

Adults living in the least deprived areas (10th decile, 23%) were more likely to participate in formal volunteering at least once a month than adults living in the most deprived areas (1st decile, 11%).

Population density

Adults living in rural areas (21%) were more likely to participate in formal volunteering at least once a month than adults living in urban areas (16%).

1.3 Geographical findings

Regional differences

Compared with the average for adults in England (17%), adults living in the South West (20%), South East (18%) and East of England (17.4%) ITL1 areas were more likely to participate in formal volunteering at least once a month, although some of these differences were small.  Adults living in the ITL1 areas of London (16%), West Midlands (15.5%), North West (15%) and North East (14%) were less likely to participate in formal volunteering at least once a month, compared with the average for adults in England (17%).

Local Authority differences ^{[footnote 8]}

By local authority, there was a 23 percentage point difference in the proportion of adults who participated in formal volunteering at least once a month, from 31% in Isles of Scilly to 8% in City of London.

The proportion of adults who participated in formal volunteering at least once a month was higher than the England average in 60 (20%) local authorities, lower than the England average in 39 (13%) local authorities, and in line with the England average in 197 (67%) local authorities.

In general, patterns of participation in formal volunteering at least once a month at the ITL1 level are also observed at the local authority (LA) level. However, there are a number of exceptions. The following notes the exceptions where levels in ITL1 areas are above or below the England average, but where levels in local authority areas show the reverse: 

• The proportion of adults who participated in formal volunteering at least once a month was higher than the England average for adults living in the South East ITL1 area (18%), but lower than the England average for adults living in the South East local authorities of Medway (11%) and Slough (11%).

• The proportion of adults who participated in formal volunteering at least once a month was higher than the England average for adults living in the East of England ITL1 area (17.4%), but lower than the England average for adults living in the East of England local authorities of Thurrock (10%), Broxbourne (12%), Ipswich (12%) and Tendring (12%).

• The proportion of adults who participated in formal volunteering at least once a month was lower than the England average for adults living in the London ITL1 area (16%), but higher than the England average for adults living in the London local authority of Richmond upon Thames (26%).
• The proportion of adults who participated in formal volunteering at least once a month was lower than the England average for adults living in the North West ITL1 area (15%), but higher than the England average for adults living in the North West local authorities of Lancaster (23%) and Westmorland and Furness (21%).
• The proportion of adults who participated in formal volunteering at least once a month was lower than the England average for adults living in the West Midlands ITL1 area (15%), but higher than the England average for adults living in the West Midlands local authorities of Stafford (24%), Malvern Hills (23%), Warwick (22%), Bromsgrove (21%), County of Herefordshire (21%), Shropshire (21%) and Stratford-on-Avon (21%). 

Figure 1.2: Percentage of adults (aged 16+) who participated in formal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months, by ITL1 area and local authority, England: 2024/25 (Base: All adults)

2. Informal volunteering

In the Community Life Survey, informal volunteering is defined as giving unpaid help to individuals who are not a relative. For example, babysitting or caring for children, keeping in touch with someone who has difficulty getting out and about, or helping someone with their household tasks such as cleaning, laundry or shopping.

The survey gathers estimates for rates of informal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months, and at least once in the last 12 months.  In this chapter demographic and geographical breakdowns are outlined for the measure of informal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months.  Details for the measure of informal volunteering at least once in the last 12 months can be found in the accompanying data tables. 

2.1 Headline findings

In 2024/25:

24% of adults had participated in informal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months, no significant change from 2023/24 (24%).   

As shown in Figure 2.1, levels of informal volunteering at least once a month in 2023/24 and 2024/25 were lower than in all previous survey years from 2013/14 (when push-to-web data collection commenced on Community Life Survey) to 2021/22 (between 26% and 33%).

In 2024/25: 

44% of adults had participated in informal volunteering at least once in the last year, no significant change from 2023/24 (44%). 

As shown in Figure 2.1, rates of informal volunteering at least once in the last 12 months broadly follow the same trends as seen in informal volunteering at least once a month. Rates of informal volunteering at least once in the last 12 months have decreased since 2020/21 (54%), with levels recorded in 2023/24 and 2024/25 (both 44%) the lowest rates for this measure since push-to-web data collection commenced on CLS.

Figure 2.1: Percentages of adults (aged 16+) who participated in informal volunteering at least once a month/at least once in the last year, England: 2013/14 to 2024/25 (Base: All adults)

2.2 Demographics: Who participated in regular informal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months? ^{[footnote 1]}

Age

Compared with the average for adults in England (24%), adults aged 65 to 74 (29%), aged 16 to 24 (28%) and aged 75 and over (28%) were more likely to participate in informal volunteering at least once a month. In contrast, adults aged 25 to 34 (21%), aged 35 to 49 (22%) and aged 50 to 64 (23%) were less likely to participate in informal volunteering at least once a month compared with the average for adults in England (24%), although some of these differences were small.

Disability Status

Disabled adults (29%) were more likely to participate in informal volunteering at least once a month than non-disabled adults (23%).

Sex ^{[footnote 2]}

Female adults (26%) were more likely to participate in informal volunteering at least once a month than male adults (22%).

Gender identity ^{[footnote 3]}

Adults whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth (29%) were more likely to participate in informal volunteering at least once a month than those whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth (24%).

Sexual Orientation ^{[footnote 4]}

Adults from the “other sexual orientation” classification (36%) were more likely to participate in informal volunteering at least once a month than bisexual adults (31%), gay or lesbian adults (28%) and heterosexual or straight adults (24%). Additionally, bisexual adults (31%) and gay or lesbian adults (28%) were more likely to participate in informal volunteering at least once a month than heterosexual or straight adults (24%).

Ethnicity

Compared with the average for adults in England (24%), adults from the White Gypsy or Irish Traveller (39%), mixed White and Black African (34%), Black African (32%), mixed White and Black Caribbean (30%), Arab (30%), White Irish (29%), Any other mixed or multiple ethnic background (28%) and Pakistani (28%) ethnic groups were more likely to participate in informal volunteering at least once a month. Adults from the Any other Asian background (21%) and Chinese (20%) ethnic groups were less likely to participate in informal volunteering at least once a month compared with the average for adults in England (24%). 

Religion

Compared with the average for adults in England (24%), adults from the Any other religion classification (33%), and Buddhist (31%), Jewish (31%), Christian (27%) and Muslim (27%) adults were more likely to participate in informal volunteering at least once a month. Adults from the No religion classification (22%) were less likely to participate in informal volunteering at least once a month compared with the average for adults in England (24%).

Socio-economic classification ^{[footnote 6]}

Adults from the never worked or long-term unemployed classification (26%) were more likely to participate in informal volunteering at least once a month than adults from the intermediate occupations (24%) and routine and manual occupations (23%) classifications. Additionally, adults from the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations classification (25%) were more likely to participate in informal volunteering at least once a month than adults from the routine and manual occupations classification (23%).

Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 7]}

No significant differences in levels of participation in informal volunteering at least once a month were observed between adults living in the most deprived areas and the least deprived areas.  

Population density

Adults living in rural areas (25%) were more likely to participate in informal volunteering at least once a month than adults living in urban areas (24%).

2.3 Geographical findings

Regional differences 

No significant differences were observed in participation in informal volunteering at least once a month by ITL1 area.

Local Authority differences ^{[footnote 8]}

By local authority, there was a 21 percentage point difference in the proportion of adults who participate in informal volunteering at least once a month, from 32% in Isles of Scilly to 11% in City of London. Note, that if City of London is excluded, the range is reduced to 14 percentage points (from 32% in Isles of Scilly to 17% in City of London).

The proportion of adults who participated in informal volunteering at least once a month was higher than England average in 8 (3%) local authorities, lower than the England average in 11 (4%) local authorities, and in line with the England average in 277 (94%) local authorities.

Patterns of participation in informal volunteering at least once a month at the ITL1 level are also observed at the local authority (LA) level. 

Figure 2.2: Percentage of adults (aged 16+) who participated in informal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months, by ITL1 area and local authority, England: 2024/25 (Base: All adults)

3. Formal and informal volunteering

This measure covers participation in any formal or informal volunteering.

The survey gathers estimates for rates of any volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months, and at least once in the last 12 months.  In this chapter demographic and geographical breakdowns are outlined for the measure of any volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months.  Details for the measure of any volunteering at least once in the last 12 months can be found in the accompanying data tables. 

3.1 Headline findings

As shown in Figure 3.1, in 2024/25:

33% of adults had participated in either formal or informal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months, no significant change from 2023/24 (33%).    

As shown in Figure 3.1, rates of participation in any formal or informal volunteering at least once a month were generally stable from 2013/14 to 2020/21 (between 41-44%).  Since 2020/21 rates have decreased, with rates in 2023/24 and 2024/25 (both 33%) the lowest recorded for this measure since push-to-web data collection commenced on CLS. 

54% of adults had participated in either formal or informal volunteering at least once in the last year, no significant change from 2023/24 (54%) 

As can be seen in Figure 3.1, rates of any form of volunteering once a year broadly mirror the trends seen for rates of any form of volunteering once a month - with a decrease in rates since 2020/21, and rates in 2023/24 and 2024/25 (both 54%) the lowest recorded for this measure since push-to-web data collection commenced on CLS.

Figure 3.1: Percentage of adults (aged 16+) who participated in formal or informal volunteering at least once a month/at least once in the last 12 months, England: 2013/14 to 2024/25 (Base: All adults)

3.2 Demographics: Who participated in any formal or informal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months? ^{[footnote 1]}

Age

Compared with the average for adults in England (33%), adults aged 16 to 24 (36%), aged 75 and over (37%) and aged 65 to 74 (40%) were more likely to participate in any formal or informal volunteering at least once a month. Adults aged 25 to 34 (27%) and aged 35 to 49 (31%) were less likely to participate in any formal or informal volunteering at least once a month compared with the average for adults in England (33%).

Disability Status

Disabled adults (36%) were more likely to participate in any formal or informal volunteering at least once a month than non-disabled adults (33%).

Sex ^{[footnote 2]}

Female adults (35%) were more likely to participate in any formal or informal volunteering at least once a month than male adults (31%).

Gender identity ^{[footnote 3]}

Adults whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth (38%) were more likely to participate in any formal or informal volunteering at least once a month than those whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth (33%).

Sexual Orientation ^{[footnote 4]}

Adults from the “other sexual orientation” classification (45%) and bisexual adults (42%) were more likely to participate in any formal or informal volunteering at least once a month than gay or lesbian adults (37%) and heterosexual or straight adults (33%). Additionally, gay or lesbian adults (37%) were more likely to participate in formal or informal volunteering at least once a month then heterosexual or straight adults (33%).

Ethnicity

Compared with the average for adults in England (33%), adults from the Black African (40%), mixed White and Black African (40%), White Irish (39%), and mixed White and Black Caribbean (37%) ethnic groups were more likely to participate in any formal or informal volunteering at least once a month. Adults from the Any other Asian background (24%), Chinese (27%), Indian (30%) and the Any other White background (30%) ethnic groups were less likely to participate in formal or informal volunteering at least once a month compared with the average for adults in England (33%).

Religion

Compared with the average for adults from England (33%), Jewish adults (45%), adults from the Any other religion classification (43%), Buddhist (39%) and Christian (37%) adults were more likely to participate in any formal or informal volunteering at least once a month. Hindu adults (29%) and adults from the No religion classification (30%) were less likely to participate in formal or informal volunteering at least once a month compared with the average for adults from England (33%).

Socio-economic classification ^{[footnote 6]}

Adults from the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations classification (37%) were more likely to participate in formal or informal volunteering at least once a month than adults from the intermediate occupations (33%), never worked or long-term unemployed (32%) and routine and manual occupations (29%) classifications. Additionally, adults from the intermediate occupations (33%) and never worked or long-term unemployed (32%) classifications were more likely to participate in formal or informal volunteering at least once a month than adults from the routine and manual occupations classification (29%).

Index of multiple deprivation^{[footnote 7]}

Adults living in the least deprived areas (10th decile, 37%) were more likely to participate in formal or informal volunteering at least once a month than adults living in the most deprived areas (1st decile, 29%).

Population density

Adults living in rural areas (37%) were more likely to participate in formal or informal volunteering at least once a month than adults living in urban areas (32%).

3.3 Geographical findings

Regional differences

Compared with the average for adults in England (33%), adults living in the South West (36%) and South East (34%) ITL1 areas were more likely to participate in formal or informal volunteering at least once a month. Adults living in the London ITL1 area (32%) were less likely to participate in formal or informal volunteering at least once a month compared with the average for adults in England (33%).

Local Authority differences ^{[footnote 8]}

By local authority, there was a 32 percentage point difference in the proportion of adults who participated in formal or informal volunteering at least once a month, from 47% in West Devon to 15% in City of London. Note that if City of London is excluded, the range is reduced to 21 percentage points (from 47% in West Devon to 26% in Bassetlaw). 

The proportion of adults who participated in formal or informal volunteering at least once a month was in line with the England average in 237 (80%) local authorities, higher than the average for adults in England in 35 (12%) local authorities, and lower than the average for adults in England in 24 (8%) local authorities.

Patterns of participation in formal or informal volunteering at least once a month at the ITL1 level are also observed at the local authority (LA) level, with some exceptions. The following notes the exceptions where levels in ITL1 areas are above or below the England average, but where levels in local authority areas show the reverse::

• The proportion of adults who participated in any formal or informal volunteering at least once a month was higher than the England average for adults living in the South East ITL1 area (34%), but lower than the England average for adults living in the South East local authorities of Swale (26%), Cherwell (26%), Slough (27%) and Rushmoor (28%).
• The proportion of adults who participated in any formal or informal volunteering at least once a month was higher than the England average for adults living in the South West ITL1 area (36%), but lower than the England average for adults living in the South West local authority of Plymouth (27%).
• The proportion of adults who participated in any formal or informal volunteering at least once a month was lower than the England average for adults living in the London ITL1 area (32%), but higher than the England average for adults living in the London local authority of Richmond upon Thames (38%).

Figure 3.2: Percentage of adults (aged 16+) who participated in any formal or informal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months, by ITL1 area and local authority, England: 2024/25 (Base: All adults)

4. Motivators and barriers to formal volunteering

Adults who reported participating in formal volunteering at least once in the last 12 months were asked about their reasons for doing so. They were able to select as many options as applied.^{[footnote 9]}

In line with 2023/24, the most common reasons for formal volunteering were as follows:

1. ‘I wanted to improve things/help people’ – 46%

2. ‘I had spare time to do it’ – 31%

3. ‘The cause was really important to me’ – 29%

4. ‘I wanted to meet people/make friends’ – 26%

Other reasons mentioned by more than one in five adults who participated in formal volunteering included the chance to use existing skills (23%), to meet a community need (23%) and because it is part of their life philosophy to help people (20%). 

Figure 4.1: Reasons for taking part in formal volunteering, England: 2024/25 (Base: All adults who participated in formal volunteering at least once in the last 12 months)

Adults who had not participated in formal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months were asked about their reasons for not volunteering more frequently, or at all, in the last 12 months. 

In line with 2023/24, the most common barriers to participating in formal volunteering were::

1. ‘I have work commitments’ – 51%

2. ‘I do other things in my spare time’ – 32%

3. ‘I have to look after children’ – 22%

Figure 4.2: Reasons for not taking part in formal volunteering at all/not taking part more frequently, England: 2024/25 (Base: All adults who had not participated in formal volunteering at least once a month in the last 12 months)

5. Overall participation in volunteering and civic engagement

The 2024/25 data tables provide estimates on the combined proportion of adults who had undertaken any of the following activities in the past 12 months:

1. Formal volunteering

2. Informal volunteering

3. Civic engagement which is defined as any form of civic participation, civic consultation or civic activism

A second combined measure includes all of the above as well as:

1. Social action 

For further information on the definition of civic engagement and social action within this survey, see the Civic Engagement and Social Action chapter of the 2024/25 publication. 

Overall in 2024/25:

66% of adults had participated in any volunteering or civic engagement activity in the last 12 months, no significant change from 2023/24 (66%).

67% of adults had participated in any volunteering, civic engagement or social action activity in the last 12 months, no significant change from 2023/24 (67%)   

6. Charitable giving

In the Community Life Survey, respondents were asked whether they had given money to charity via a number of methods in the four weeks prior to completing the survey. ^{[footnote 10]}

This section summarises the findings for the proportion of adults giving to charity via any method excluding donating goods or prizes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey.   A breakdown of the proportion of adults giving to charity via each method is provided in table C4a of the 2024/25 data tables.  

6.1 Headline findings

In 2024/25:

67% of adults said they had given money to charitable causes in the last four weeks, no significant change from 2023/24 (67%).  

Rates of charitable giving have generally been in decline since push-to-web data collection started on the Community Life Survey, from a high of 82% in 2013/14 to a low of 63% in 2020/21.  Rates from 2021/22 to 2024/25 have been stable between 66% and 67%.

It should be noted that an analysis of the impact of seasonality identified a significant difference between the proportion of adults reporting that they had given money to charity across the different quarters of the survey year. The proportion giving to charity was generally lower in the first quarter (April to June) and second quarter (July to September) of the survey year than in the third quarter (October to December) and fourth quarter (January to March). As the 2024/25 CLS fieldwork, like the 2023/24 fieldwork, was condensed into the third and fourth quarters (October 2024 – March 2025) this should be borne in mind when comparing results across years.  Analysis was completed to compare the rates of charitable giving from 2023/24 to the rates from the equivalent quarters in 2021/22 - this confirmed the finding of no change between rates of charitable giving between 2021/22 and 2023/24. 

Figure 6.1: Percentage of adults (aged 16+) who had given money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey, England: 2013/14 to 2024/25 (Base: Adults in subsample of approximately a third of online respondents)

6.2 Demographics: Who gave money to charity? ^{[footnote 1]}

Age

Compared with the average for adults in England (67%), adults aged 50 to 64 (71%), aged 65 to 74 (80%) and aged 75 and over (81%) were more likely to have given money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey. Adults aged 16 to 24 (48%) and aged 25 to 34 (57%) were less likely to have given money to charity in the four weeks prior to completing the survey compared with the average for adults in England (67%).

Disability Status

No significant differences were observed between disabled and non-disabled adults in terms of the proportion giving money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey.

Sex ^{[footnote 2]}

Female adults (72%) were more likely to have given money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey than male adults (62%).

Gender identity ^{[footnote 3]}

No significant differences were observed between adults whose gender identity was the same as their sex registered at birth and those whose gender identity was different from their sex registered at birth in terms of the proportion giving money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey.

Sexual Orientation ^{[footnote 4]}

Heterosexual or straight adults (68%) were more likely to have given money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey than gay or lesbian adults (63%) and adults from the “other sexual orientation” classification (58%).  

Ethnicity^{[footnote 11]}

Compared with the average for adults in England (67%), adults from the Bangladeshi (74%) and White British^{[footnote 5]} (69%) ethnic groups were more likely to have given money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey. Adults from the Chinese (49%), mixed White and Black Caribbean (51%), Black Caribbean (56%), Any other Asian background (58%), mixed White and Asian (58%), and Any other White background (61%) ethnic groups were less likely to have given money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey compared with the average for adults in England (67%).

Religion

Compared with the average for adults in England (67%), Jewish (77%) and Christian (73%) adults were more likely to have given money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey. Adults from the No religion classification (61%) and Hindu adults (61%) were less likely to have given money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey compared with the average for adults in England (67%).

Socio-economic classification ^{[footnote 6]}

Levels of charitable giving were significantly different between adults from each socio-economic classification. Adults from the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations classification (75%) were more likely to have given money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey. This was followed by adults from the intermediate occupation classification (72%), then by adults from the routine and manual occupations classification (60%) and finally by adults in the never worked or long-term unemployed classification (54%).

Index of multiple deprivation ^{[footnote 7]}

Adults living in the least deprived areas (10th decile, 76%) were more likely to have given money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey than adults living in the most deprived areas (1st decile, 56%).

Population density

Adults living in rural areas (73%) were more likely to have given money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey than adults living in urban areas (65%).

6.3 Geographical findings ^{[footnote 10]}

Regional differences

Compared with the average for adults in England (67%), adults living in the South West (71%) and South East (69%) ITL1 areas were more likely to have given money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey. Adults living in the London ITL1 area (63%) were less likely to have given money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey than the average for adults in England (67%).

Figure 6.2: Percentage of adults (aged 16+) who gave money to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey, by ITL1 area, England: 2024/25 (Base: Adults in subsample of approximately a third of online respondents)

7. Methods of giving to charitable causes

As shown in Figure 7.1, buying goods from a charity shop or catalogue (28%), giving through a direct debit or standing order (23%), and buying raffle tickets (20%) were the most common methods of giving money to charitable causes in 2024/25.  This is in line with findings from 2023/24.  

Other relatively common methods included collection tins (17%), online donation (17%), and buying goods where the price includes a charitable donation/you can add a charitable donation (16%). Use of collection tins in 2024/25 (17%) was lower than in 2023/24 (19%).

Figure 7.1: Methods of giving to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey, England: 2024/25 (Base: Adults in subsample of approximately a third of online respondents)

8. How much was being given to charity?

In 2024/25, of adults who had given to charity in the four weeks prior to completing the survey, 23% gave over £50, a significant increase from 2023/24 (21%). The proportion giving other amounts given was not significantly different from 2023/24: Up to £4 (11%), £5 to £9 (12%), £10 to £19 (23%) and £20 to £49 (31%). 

The average amount given to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey was £32 (excluding those who donated £300 or more), no significant change from 2023/24 (£29). The median amount given to charitable causes in the four weeks prior to completing the survey was £20, no change from 2023/24 (£20).  When comparing findings across years, it should be noted that figures have not been adjusted for inflation.   

1. Demographic questions in the survey are voluntary and self-reported by the respondent. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

2. This data is based on the respondent’s sex. The Community Life Survey respondents were asked the question “What is your sex?”. The response options were ‘Male’, ‘Female’ and ‘Prefer not to Say’. This closely follows the ONS Census 2021 question for sex designed to capture sex at birth, but has been slightly amended to include a ‘Prefer not to Say’ option as we do for all demographic questions in the Community Life Survey. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

3. This data is based on the respondent’s gender identity. Respondents were asked ‘Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth’, with the possible responses being ‘Yes’, ‘No, type in gender identity’ or ‘Prefer not to say’.  Patterns were identified in Census 2021 data that suggest that some respondents may not have interpreted the gender identity question as intended, notably those with lower levels of English language proficiency. Analysis of Scotland’s census, where the gender identity question was different, has added weight to this observation. More information can be found in the ONS sexual orientation and gender identity quality information report, and in the National Statistical blog about the strengths and limitations of gender identity statistics ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

4. Sexual orientation is an umbrella term covering sexual identity, attraction, and behaviour. For an individual respondent, these may not be the same. For example, someone in an opposite-sex relationship may also experience same-sex attraction, and vice versa. This means the statistics should be interpreted purely as showing how people responded to the question, rather than being about whom they are attracted to or their actual relationships. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

5. The White British ethnic group includes adults from an English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British ethnic group ↩ ↩²

6. This is a form of socio-economic classification based on the employment status and occupation of the respondent. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

7. The Index of Multiple Deprivation is a geographical measure which classifies the relative deprivation of an area. It combines seven indices to produce one overall measure for the area (rather than the individual). It takes into account income, employment, education, skills and training, health and disability, crime, barriers to housing and services, and living environment. For this commentary, the most and least deprived deciles have been compared. There may be some other significant differences between deciles in between which have not been commented on here. The analysis of the index of Multiple Deprivation was conducted using the 2019 Index of Multiple Deprivation. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

8. The 2024/25 Community Life Survey includes over 175,000 responses, so confidence intervals are generally very narrow. Whilst this reflects a strength of the data, when highlighting differences, some local authorities may be shown to be above/below the England average, but are only a percentage point more/ less than the average. There will be other local authorities who are much more above or below the England average, but will both be shown in the same shading within the map. ↩ ↩² ↩³

9. The question on reasons for volunteering was mixed mode in the 2021/22 survey but a web only question in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 survey.  Analysis of mode effects found an impact for the response code ‘If I had spare time to do it’, which should be borne in mind when comparing results across years.  Analysis was completed to compare the responses for this code in 2023/24 to the web only responses 2021/22, which confirmed no mode effect on this response option between these two survey years. These questions were asked of adults in a subsample of approximately a third of online respondents.  This question was not included in the paper questionnaire and was asked of respondents online, so the results are only representative of the online population. ↩

10. The questions on charitable giving were asked of adults in a subsample of approximately a third of online respondents - due to the smaller sample size, local authority estimates are not provided for these variables.  This question was not included in the paper questionnaire and was asked of respondents online, so the results are only representative of the online population. ↩ ↩²

11. The “Any other Black or African or Caribbean background” ethnic group is not included in reporting due to the data being suppressed, as fewer than 30 respondents selected this option. ↩