Three in 10 Indian employees participated in volunteering activity last year, surpassing global counterparts: Survey

31% of Indian employees have participated in a volunteering activity in the last year, surpassing the global benchmark of 22%, finds a new report.

Employee volunteering in India has evolved into a strategic driver of large-scale social impact, skills, and employee engagement, and smaller firms, with fewer than 5,000 employees, are leading this trend, with 44% workforce participation rate, according to Goodera’s VQ Report 2025.

Sector leaders include technology (35%) and financial services (31%). This is also underscored by 3.5 hours per volunteer on average, reflecting both depth of engagement and consistency across programmes.

This phenomenon is being fuelled by demographic and cultural shifts, worsening mental health at workplaces, and organisational enablers such as volunteering platforms, policies and flagship volunteering campaigns.

India’s workforce is among the youngest in the world, with Gen Z and millennials together accounting for nearly 75% of employees. This younger workforce values purpose at work as much as paychecks, seeking opportunities to grow skills, connect with peers, and contribute to meaningful causes. For them, volunteering is a pathway to personal growth, purpose-driven leadership, and community connection.

Mental health challenges and workplace loneliness are now global concerns, and more than 50% of Indian employees report operating in survival mode, driven by excessive workloads and a diminished sense of belonging. With more employees reporting stress and disconnection at work, volunteering is emerging as a proven lever to foster belonging and well-being while allowing people to give back to society.

“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 and CEO, Goodera.

Bengaluru records the highest turnout per event with an average of 65 volunteers, followed by Pune (61) and Chennai (60). These tech-driven hubs have emerged as the strongest centres of employee mobilisation, reflecting their younger, innovation-focused workforces. Top causes include education, environment, health and well-being, and community welfare and elderly care.