Volunteer statistics (ILO)*
Source: ILOSTATS. The data is collected by ILO from national statistical offices. As national statistics on volunteer work are produced using a variety of approaches and tools, direct and cross-country comparisons are not recommended. For more information, visit https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/volunteer-work/
2018
Total volunteering by gender
Direct volunteering by gender
Organization-based volunteering by gender
Measurement work
Data source
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
-
2018
- Other
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
Laws, Policies, Schemes on Volunteering
Does the country have a piece of legislation on volunteering?
Legislation on new voluntary work system (approved by the council of Ministers on January 21)
Does the country have a national policy, scheme, plan or strategy specific to volunteering?
Yes
| Name of specific policy, strategy or plan on volunteering at the national level. | Year created | Source link | What are the relevant SDG areas/crosscutting themes of the policy, plan scheme or strategy? |
|---|---|---|---|
Policy on the Institutionalization of Voluntary Work |
2017 | View source |   |
Does the country have a sectoral and cross-sectoral policy, scheme, plan or strategy that mentions volunteering?
Yes
| Name of specific policy, strategy or plan on volunteering at the national level. | Year created | Source link | What are the relevant SDG areas/crosscutting themes of the policy, plan scheme or strategy? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Health Strategy 2019-2023 | 2019 | View source |  |
| Health Sector Transformation Program Delivery Plan | 2020 | View source | |
| Ministry of Education's Strategy 2020-2030 | 2020 | View source |  |
| Quality of Life Program Implementation Plan 2020-2023 | 2020 | View source |
VNR Reporting
Sustainable Development Goals. First Voluntary National Review of Saudi Arabia
View source
Reporting positive contribution of volunteering to the SDGs
Paragraph 1, page 57
Volunteering in education: This program aims at developing an educated generation who take the lead in volunteerism with active involvement in advancing the society and serving the nation. The program also aims at promoting respect of volunteerism, developing a sense of social responsibility and active interaction among students.
Paragraph 2, page 86
In addition, MLSD launched a national volunteering platform to promote awareness of the importance of volunteering It is the objective of MLSD to increase the number of volunteers to 300,000 By 2020. The following graph shows the number of volunteers by field and economic value. Number of volunteers in 2017 in the Kingdom: 55,832 volunteers. Economic value of volunteering: 45,558,912 SAR, USD 12.15 million. Volunteering fields: Health, relief and rescue, organization, sports, social, arts and heritage, technical, media, management, training and education, psychologica, legal, financial.
No mentionAccelerating to achieve a sustainable future - Saudi Arabia Voluntary National Review 1444-2023
View source 
Reporting positive contribution of volunteering to the SDGs
Reporting on volunteering connected to matters of gender equality, women's empowerment or similar
Paragraph 1, page 37
SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAM: The role of the Saudi Social Protection System is to lay foundations to social security encourage institutions. and individuals to contribute to charitable work. This system contains three components aimed at unassisted families, orphans, those unable to work, people affected by disaster and pandemics, among other groups. Impact: In 2021, more than 489,000 Saudis have volunteered to support charitable organizations, providing a huge variety of services.
Paragraph 2, page 68
PSU, the Government of Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 and the UN’s SDG agenda all have the same ultimate ambition: to create a world that works for all-both now and in the future. Impact: The list ongoing initiative and campaigns include - GO GREEN initiative - Zero Waste Campaign - Earth day - UN SDG and Climate Week - Youth Sustainability - Leadership Certification Volunteering at center for Sustainability and Climate (CSC).
Paragraph 3, page 201
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST): In May 2022, KAUST launched the #HereToLead campaign to promote gender equality and women‵s advancement in STEM fields by raising awareness and highlighting successful Saudi women at the institution, with the involvement of KAUST volunteers and students. KAUST has also established research programs focused on sustainable ocean management, and the country actively collaborates with international partners to exchange best practices.Al-Ahsa Volunteering Team: A youth-led initiative that aims to implement the 17 SDGs in Saudi Arabia, starting with the city of Al-Ahsa. It envisions 17 teams working together under one umbrella, engaging the community and media, introducing new programs, and organizing monthly meetings and trainings.
Paragraph 4, page 203
Another aspect of civil society engagement with the SDGs is volunteering – a vital tool for sustainable development in Saudi Arabia, with many non-profit organizations and groups working towards critical issues such as health, education, and disaster risk reduction, among others. The government‵s commitment to increasing the number of volunteers to 600,000 and the establishment of various incentives and initiatives highlights the importance of active citizen engagement and the role of civil society.
Volunteerism as an Instrument of Sustainable Development: Volunteering has long been a cornerstone of Saudi society, with about 1,000 non-profit organizations and groups in the country. The Kingdom has specific legislation on volunteering, and the government is committed to increasing the number of volunteers to 600,000. Many volunteers work on critical issues such as health, youth and sports, disaster risk reduction, and education, among others. Vision 2030 notes the importance of active citizen engagement and the role of civil society. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is responsible for institutionalizing social aid and volunteering. In 2020, the country developed a Voluntary Service Law aimed at regulating and developing voluntary service and promoting patriotism, humanitarian work, and social responsibility in the community.
The government has also established an initiative for volunteer work, volunteer management departments in non-profit organizations, and a National Volunteers portal to provide volunteer opportunities and monitor and document volunteering hours. The goal is to promote civic engagement and participation, enhance social capital, and contribute to the country‵s economic and social growth. Volunteer work in Saudi Arabia is diverse and carried out by non-government organizations, including youth groups and religious organizations, as well as individual citizens and private sector companies. Types of volunteering opportunities include environmental conservation, community service, and support for individuals with special needs. Several non-profit organizations, including Takatuf, the Abdulrehman Saleh Al Rajhi & Family Foundation, and Al-Oula, have played an important role in promoting volunteerism and supporting the non-profit sector. In 2022, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority counted 6,176 volunteers, with more women than men, who participated in more than 1,800 events on various issues such as disaster risk reduction, health, and migration.
Paragraph 1, page 203
In 2020, the country developed a Voluntary Service Law aimed at regulating and developing voluntary service and promoting patriotism, humanitarian work, and social responsibility in the community.
The government has also established an initiative for volunteer work, volunteer management departments in non-profit organizations, and a National Volunteers portal to provide volunteer opportunities and monitor and document volunteering hours.