1 in 3 Singaporeans volunteered in 2012: survey

It's the highest rate since 2000.

According to National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre’s (NVPC) study of individual giving behaviour, 1 in 3 persons, or 32.3%, volunteered in 2012.

This is the highest rate since such research began in 2000; compared to the previous high of 23.3% in the 2010 survey. Volunteering grew across most demographics such as age, education and income levels.

Said Laurence Lien, Chief Executive Officer of NVPC, “The rise in the number of people volunteering is heartening. It shows that Singapore is becoming a more compassionate society. We are also encouraged that volunteerism grew especially among seniors as well as those aged 25 to 44. That most are volunteering occasionally also signals that more can be done to increase their involvement.”

Among those who volunteered, 7 in 10 volunteered occasionally, rather than weekly or monthly. The total number of hours volunteered in the past 12 months was 91 million, compared to 89 million in 2010. Average volunteer hours fell to 72 hours per volunteer compared to 104 hours in 2010.

A major reason for the increase in the volunteerism rate was informal volunteering, with 36% volunteering informally only in 2012 compared to 13% in 2010.

“We are glad that many more people are aware of needs around them and actively meeting those needs, for example, by helping their neighbours. This augurs well for the building of social capital in our communities,” added Mr Lien.

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