Efforts Grow to Improve Assessment of Volunteer Contributions

Efforts across Latin America and the Caribbean to improve the assessment of volunteer work are advancing as governments, statistical offices, and international organizations move toward standardized methods to quantify voluntary activities and integrate them into public policy. The push reflects growing recognition of volunteer contributions to social development and the need for comparable data across the region.

Experts note that reliable statistics on volunteer activity allow policymakers to understand the scale of voluntary engagement, identify gaps, and incorporate evidence into programs linked to social welfare, community development, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The current regional agenda emphasizes aligning national survey tools with international standards, particularly those developed through the International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) and supported by organizations such as ILO and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program.

The interest in strengthening volunteer statistics comes at a moment when several countries are examining the economic, social, and civic dimensions of volunteerism. Mexico illustrates the importance of this shift. According to INEGI, an estimated 8.4 million people in Mexico engaged in volunteer work in 2023, equivalent to roughly 7% of the population aged 15 and older. Of these volunteers, 62% are women, and participation occurs both through organizations and independently, with civil society organizations accounting for 55% of engagement and independent activity representing 45%.

Specialists highlight that the economic value generated by volunteer work is significant. The Mexican Volunteer Alliance (AMEVOL) estimates that voluntary activity produces more than MX$40 billion (US$2.16 billion) annually, an amount comparable to the funding of major public social programs. These contributions, however, often remain underrecognized due to limited visibility and the absence of systematic measurement. Advocates argue that increasing participation will require stronger institutional frameworks, broader promotion efforts and incentives that motivate the population to engage in voluntary activities.

Measurements alone do not capture the full social impact of volunteer action. Academic and sociological perspectives underline that volunteer work also influences community dynamics. Research referenced by experts, including studies from UNAM, indicates that volunteer initiatives help rebuild trust in areas affected by fragmentation or marginalization. Participants in community projects, such as neighborhood health brigades or urban gardens, have reported improvements in their sense of belonging and social connection. In urban settings, volunteer activity has been identified as a mechanism that reduces social isolation by enabling individuals to participate in collective actions and form stable community networks.

The regional push for standardized measurement frameworks includes efforts to clearly distinguish between formal and informal types of volunteer work. International guidelines define informal volunteer work as contributions carried out without formal protections or administrative arrangements, even when the activity takes place within organizations. Formal volunteer work, by contrast, is characterized by documented participation, access to insurance or registration within established institutional structures. These classifications are critical for understanding variations in volunteer engagement and improving the accuracy of national statistics.

Recent methodological advances suggest using survey questions that categorize the organizations involved in volunteer activities, including public institutions, informal community groups, religious entities, nongovernmental organizations, schools and universities, corporate actors, and other groups. Additional indicators, such as whether volunteers receive certificates, access insurance or hold organizational membership, help determine the degree of formality associated with each activity. These tools support the production of data that can be compared across countries and used to inform national policy planning.

Experts in the region link improved statistical systems with the ability to design more targeted volunteer programs. In Mexico, analysts point to opportunities for universities, civil society organizations, companies and government agencies to integrate volunteer initiatives more effectively into their operations. Examples include university-led community service activities, corporate volunteer models that mobilize employees for environmental or social projects, and nonprofit organizations that rely on structured volunteer support to deliver services. Strengthening the statistical foundation allows these sectors to identify where volunteer work is most needed and how resources can be allocated to maximize impact.

As more countries adopt standardized measurement tools, observers expect volunteer work to gain greater visibility within national development strategies. Enhanced data collection can help quantify contributions that have historically remained outside formal labor frameworks and ensure that voluntary activities are recognized as part of broader social and economic systems. The regional emphasis on measurement reflects a growing consensus that volunteer work contributes not only to service provision, but also to community cohesion, civic engagement and long-term development outcomes.