The State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (SWVR) stands as the United Nations’ flagship publication, offering deep insights into the power and impact of volunteerism in shaping our world. It highlights volunteerism’s universality, its vast scope, and its far-reaching influence in the twenty-first century. The upcoming 2026 edition, titled “Volunteerism and its Measurements” live on December 5, 2025, takes a bold step forward and offers the most comprehensive analysis yet of the global scale and impact of volunteer work.
Every month, 2.1 billion working-age people volunteer their time and skills—fuelling real change in communities worldwide. Yet, outdated measurement methods have long overlooked much of this contribution, leaving volunteerism undervalued in policy and investment decisions.
The 2026 SWVR changes that narrative. It introduces inclusive, innovative approaches to measuring volunteerism, ensuring the hope, trust, and solidarity volunteers bring are finally visible in global data.
Rich with practical examples from governments, organizations, and volunteers themselves, this edition offers actionable tools and insights for better measurement.
At its core is the Global Index of Volunteer Engagement (GIVE)—a groundbreaking framework that goes beyond counting hours. GIVE captures volunteerism’s impact across four dimensions:
- Individuals
- Communities
- Economies
- Systems that enable volunteering
By valuing volunteerism fully, we can build stronger systems and unlock its potential for a fairer, more resilient future.
This report is more than research—it’s a call to action. For governments, civil society, businesses, and academia, it challenges us to recognize volunteer work not as charity, but as a strategic, measurable resource.
