Mid-career professionals lead volunteer participation in Saudi Arabia, GASTAT survey

Mid-career professionals are emerging as the most active volunteers in Saudi Arabia, with individuals aged 35 - 44 recording the highest participation rate at 13.6% over a four-week period, according to the latest Volunteer Work Survey released by the General Authority for Statistics.

The findings highlight a strong culture of civic engagement among experienced professionals, even as overall volunteer participation across the Kingdom continues to grow. The survey found that 19% of residents aged 15 and above participated in volunteer work over a 12-month period in 2025, while 9.5% reported volunteering during a four-week period.

Men recorded higher volunteering rates than women across both timeframes. Over a four-week period, the volunteer participation rate reached 11.1% for males, compared with 6.3% for females. Over the course of a year, the rate rose to 21.5% among men, compared with 14.2% among women.

The survey also showed that volunteer engagement levels were similar between citizens and expatriates. Among Saudis, the four-week volunteer rate stood at 9.3%, including 11.9% for men and 6.8% for women. Among non-Saudis, the rate reached 9.6%, including 10.7% for men and 5.3% for women.

Over a 12-month period, volunteer participation reached 18.9% among Saudis and 19.1% among non-Saudis. Within these groups, male participation again outpaced female participation.

The survey found that direct volunteering, helping individuals or communities without going through formal organisations, remains the most common form of volunteer work. 

Among Saudis during the four-week period, 7.5% participated in direct volunteering, while 1.6% volunteered through organised groups and 0.2% engaged in multiple volunteer activities.

Among non-Saudis, 8% reported direct volunteering, compared with 1.5% participating through organised volunteer groups and 0.1% taking part in multiple activities.

Education levels also played a role in volunteer participation. Individuals with Master’s or doctoral degrees recorded the highest volunteering rates, with 19.5% of Saudis with advanced degrees engaging in volunteer work. Within this group, 24.9% were men, compared with 8.7% women.

According to the General Authority for Statistics, the Volunteer Work Survey is part of its household survey programme and is based on a representative sample of around 24,000 households across Saudi Arabia. 

The study aims to provide detailed insights into volunteer activity, including participation rates, types of volunteer work, and the demographic characteristics of volunteers.

The survey methodology follows standards set by the International Labour Organisation, ensuring internationally comparable data on volunteer engagement across the Kingdom.