Voluntary work

SDG 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Goal description and MONET principles
«[…]To […] build more peaceful and inclusive societies and in recognition of the fact that the proper functioning of society and its ability to survive are largely based on the solidarity of its members, exchange and understanding between individuals, groups, people of different ages as well as social and political participation should be promoted (principles 5a and 5b).»

Significance of the indicator
The indicator shows the proportion of the permanent resident population that carries out voluntary work, organised or informal, of any kind.

Voluntary work creates social links, making it an expression of social capital. By complementing professional services, it helps to cover the population's material and non-material needs. Furthermore, voluntary work also benefits the disadvantaged and helps to prevent the marginalisation of the weakest in society. An increase in the share of the population carrying out voluntary work is a step towards sustainable development.

Help for interpretation
Family and household work are not considered to be voluntary work. 

International comparability
This indicator cannot be compared at international level.