SINGAPORE: More than three-quarters of Singapore residents have given back to others at some point, with 68 per cent doing so in the past year, according to the latest National Giving Study.
The findings, released on Tuesday (Mar 31), also show that giving in Singapore goes beyond formal volunteering and donations.
It includes everyday acts such as helping neighbours, distributing meals, picking up litter or even caring for community cats.
Conducted by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), the study surveyed more than 3,600 people between July and October last year.
The 2025 edition adopted a wider approach than previous years by looking at both structured giving, such as volunteering and donations, and informal acts of mutual aid.
Researchers also refined the methodology to focus on what people actually did, rather than how they interpret terms like volunteering or donating, in order to provide a more inclusive picture of how people contribute.
While much of giving in Singapore takes place through informal channels, the study also examined more structured forms of participation.
More than 20 per cent of respondents volunteered in the past year, with a median of seven hours spent.
Meanwhile, 45 per cent made monetary or in-kind donations, with a median contribution of S$120 (US$93).
Donations were made slightly more frequently than volunteering, with a median of four instances compared to three volunteer sessions over the year.
CNA Games
Show More Show Less
The study also found that volunteering fosters greater social mixing and connection.
Volunteers tend to have more diverse social ties across housing types, education levels, occupations, ethnicity and nationality.
They are also more likely to have contacts across a wider range of occupations, including professional and leadership roles. Researchers said this may provide access to useful information, advice and opportunities.
Giving behaviours are shaped by social environments, including family, friends and workplaces, the study found.
Parental role models play an important role in shaping early habits. Individuals who grew up seeing their parents volunteer or donate were more likely to do the same later in life.
Peer influence also matters. People are more likely to volunteer or donate, and to do so more frequently, when their friends or colleagues are involved in giving.
Supportive environments further encourage participation. These include having help with caregiving or household responsibilities, as well as workplaces that offer volunteer leave or organise volunteering activities.
“Individuals are more likely to volunteer or donate, and to do so more often, when giving is practised by family, friends, or colleagues,” said NVPC CEO Tony Soh.
“Supportive workplaces, such as those that organise volunteering initiatives and offer volunteer leave, further enable participation by making it easier for people to give back.”
While participation is widespread, it is often shaped by practical constraints.
Work commitments, childcare and caregiving responsibilities were linked to lower participation in volunteering.
Those with heavier responsibilities were more likely to volunteer on a seasonal basis, rather than consistently throughout the year.
Researchers noted that more flexible and lower-commitment opportunities could help address these barriers and encourage sustained participation.
The findings were shared at the City of Good Forum on Tuesday, which brought together over 400 leaders and changemakers from the public, private and people sectors to strengthen partnerships for social good.
Building on its findings, NVPC said it will scale up digital giving, deepen partnerships to expand corporate volunteering and help charities build capabilities.
It will also work with partners to better engage youths and make it easier for them to participate in giving.
Speaking at the event, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Dinesh Vasu Dash highlighted the importance of giving in building a resilient society.
“What ultimately matters is society being strong, not just in terms of economic growth or in terms of its infrastructure, but also in terms of its social capital, and to simply put ourselves in terms of the way in which we trust one another, our willingness to help one another, and our shared belief that we are in this together,” he said.
Continue reading...
The findings, released on Tuesday (Mar 31), also show that giving in Singapore goes beyond formal volunteering and donations.
It includes everyday acts such as helping neighbours, distributing meals, picking up litter or even caring for community cats.
Conducted by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), the study surveyed more than 3,600 people between July and October last year.
The 2025 edition adopted a wider approach than previous years by looking at both structured giving, such as volunteering and donations, and informal acts of mutual aid.
Researchers also refined the methodology to focus on what people actually did, rather than how they interpret terms like volunteering or donating, in order to provide a more inclusive picture of how people contribute.
DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERING
While much of giving in Singapore takes place through informal channels, the study also examined more structured forms of participation.
More than 20 per cent of respondents volunteered in the past year, with a median of seven hours spent.
Meanwhile, 45 per cent made monetary or in-kind donations, with a median contribution of S$120 (US$93).
Donations were made slightly more frequently than volunteering, with a median of four instances compared to three volunteer sessions over the year.
CNA Games
Show More Show Less
VOLUNTEERING BUILDS SOCIAL CONNECTIONS
The study also found that volunteering fosters greater social mixing and connection.
Volunteers tend to have more diverse social ties across housing types, education levels, occupations, ethnicity and nationality.
They are also more likely to have contacts across a wider range of occupations, including professional and leadership roles. Researchers said this may provide access to useful information, advice and opportunities.
SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT PLAYS A KEY ROLE
Giving behaviours are shaped by social environments, including family, friends and workplaces, the study found.
Parental role models play an important role in shaping early habits. Individuals who grew up seeing their parents volunteer or donate were more likely to do the same later in life.
Peer influence also matters. People are more likely to volunteer or donate, and to do so more frequently, when their friends or colleagues are involved in giving.
Related:
Supportive environments further encourage participation. These include having help with caregiving or household responsibilities, as well as workplaces that offer volunteer leave or organise volunteering activities.
“Individuals are more likely to volunteer or donate, and to do so more often, when giving is practised by family, friends, or colleagues,” said NVPC CEO Tony Soh.
“Supportive workplaces, such as those that organise volunteering initiatives and offer volunteer leave, further enable participation by making it easier for people to give back.”
Related:
TIME COMMITMENT A KEY BARRIER
While participation is widespread, it is often shaped by practical constraints.
Work commitments, childcare and caregiving responsibilities were linked to lower participation in volunteering.
Those with heavier responsibilities were more likely to volunteer on a seasonal basis, rather than consistently throughout the year.
Researchers noted that more flexible and lower-commitment opportunities could help address these barriers and encourage sustained participation.
Related:
MAKING GIVING MORE ACCESSIBLE
The findings were shared at the City of Good Forum on Tuesday, which brought together over 400 leaders and changemakers from the public, private and people sectors to strengthen partnerships for social good.
Building on its findings, NVPC said it will scale up digital giving, deepen partnerships to expand corporate volunteering and help charities build capabilities.
It will also work with partners to better engage youths and make it easier for them to participate in giving.
Speaking at the event, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Dinesh Vasu Dash highlighted the importance of giving in building a resilient society.
“What ultimately matters is society being strong, not just in terms of economic growth or in terms of its infrastructure, but also in terms of its social capital, and to simply put ourselves in terms of the way in which we trust one another, our willingness to help one another, and our shared belief that we are in this together,” he said.
Related:
Continue reading...