Associative volunteering has practically returned to its pre-health crisis level, but the composition of volunteers has evolved, with now more young people and a "
clear disengagement of seniors
", according to a study published Thursday.
According to this survey conducted by Ifop among 3,155 people questioned in January 2023 on behalf of the Research & Solidarity network of experts, 22.8% of French people are involved in an association.
As a result of the pandemic, the proportion of French volunteers had fallen from 24% in 2019 to 20% in 2022. “
We are approaching the pre-crisis level
”, notes Research & Solidarities.
Among the approximately 23% of French people involved in an association in January 2023, there are as many men as women.
A quarter of those under 35 and over 65, 22% of 35-49 year olds and 19% of 50-64 year olds devote themselves to a commitment.
Read also“Voluntourism”, real commitment or commodification of volunteering?
The 65 and over, traditional pillars of associations, are experiencing a continuous decline: they were nearly 4 out of 10 in their age group to be volunteers in 2010, 31% in 2019 and now 25%.
There is "
a clear disengagement of seniors
" already noticeable before the health crisis.
Today, the most represented age group within associations is those under 35 (31% in 2023, compared to 26% in 2019), which have dethroned those aged 65 and over.
The 35-49 year olds are 23% (unchanged), finally come the 50-64 year olds in slight decline (20% against 22%).
According to Research & Solidarity, “
the backbone of associations is in danger
”.
There are fewer French people involved every week: 10.1% in 2019 and 9.2% in 2023. They represented 44% of volunteers in 2019, only 40% in 2023. “Volunteers who have returned –
or arrived since the Covid – have more often tend to commit, punctually or monthly rather than weekly.
According to the latest
Insee
Associations Survey , France had 1.2 million active associations in 2018, which functioned thanks to 21 million “
volunteer participations
”, the same volunteer being able to invest in several structures.