UK Voluntary Sector Workforce Grew 20% in the Past Decade

Figures from the UK Civil Society Almanac 2021 show that the UK voluntary sector workforce has increased by 20% over the past decade. In addition, the report showed that income for the voluntary sector hit record levels in the 2018/19 financial year.

The statistics show that the number of employees working in the voluntary sector increased from 792,000 in September 2010 to 952,000 in September 2020. The growth in the voluntary sector was higher than growth in both the private and public sectors which saw 16% and 3% increases respectively over the same period.

Statistics from the NGVO demonstrate that in the year to September 2020 the workforce in the UK voluntary sector increased by 32,000 (3%) despite the Covid-19 pandemic. The proportion of the UK population employed by the UK voluntary sector has remained at a consistent 3% over the 10-year period.

In the 2018/19 financial year, the annual income for the UK voluntary sector hit a new record of £56bn, an increase of £800m compared to the previous financial year. Despite the fact that the government's contribution decreased by £300m.

These statistics are a promising sign for the UK voluntary sector as this demonstrates steady growth before the pandemic hit. However, the full effects of the pandemic may not have been truly realised and it is currently unknown whether the sector will return to a similar level than before the pandemic.

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