31% of Indian employees volunteered last year, above global average of 22%: Report

A new report on employee volunteering in India has revealed that 31% of the workforce in Indian companies have participated in a volunteering activity in the last year, surpassing the global benchmark of 22%.

The Goodera’s VQ Report 2025 points out that smaller firms, with fewer than 5000 employees, are leading this trend, with a 44% workforce participation rate. 

Technology (35%) and financial services (31%) lead the way among sectors. On average, each volunteer contributes 3.5 hours, reflecting both strong engagement and consistent participation across programme

Demographic and cultural changes, coupled with growing mental health challenges at workplaces and organisational enablers like dedicated volunteering platforms, policies, and campaigns, are fuelling this trend. 

With India’s workforce one of the youngest in the world, with Gen Z and millennials accounting for 75%, volunteering is seen as a pathway to personal growth, purpose-driven leadership, and community connection.

According to the VQ Report, access is a key catalyst for participation. Organisations that offer structured enablers see markedly higher levels of volunteer engagement.

Some insights include:

●      Volunteering Time-Off (VTO): raises workforce participation by 2x

●      Matching grants: increase participation from 21% to 60% (2.9x).

●      Giving platforms: lifts participation from 30% to 43%.

●      Flagship volunteering campaigns: drives participation from 27% to 40%.

Overall, workforce participation is 2x higher in companies with these enablers compared to peers without them, proving that structured support is key to scaling employee volunteering.

According to the VQ Report 2025, Bengaluru records the highest volunteer turnout per event with an average of 65 volunteers, followed by Pune (61) and Chennai (60). 

• It also outlines the cause areas reflecting India’s development priorities and SDG focus:
• Education (~47%) anchors volunteering throughout the year (foundational literacy, STEM, career-readiness).
• Environment (~21%) is the clear runner-up, with spikes in Q2 (Earth Day, pre-monsoon tree-planting).
• Health & Wellbeing rises in Q2–Q3 around World Health Day and wellness campaigns.
• Community welfare and elderly care surge in Q3–Q4, aligning with Daan Utsav, Diwali, and festival relief.
• Women-focused and Diversity and Inclusion programs cluster in Q1–Q2 with International Women’s Day and new-year diversity drives.

“Organisations with a substantial young, Indian workforce are showing the world that volunteering is more than charity. It's a catalyst for development, a bridge to social progress, and the glue that connects people at work,” said Abhishek Humbad, Founder & CEO, Goodera.