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1. Historical developments

2. Main concepts

Historical developments

Denmark has a long tradition of volunteering and active citizenship, dating back to the 19th century when popular movements emerged. Today, Danish volunteering centers on associations within leisure, sports and social services. This reflects a long-standing compromise between civil society and the welfare state, which gradually took responsibility for social security and public welfare. 

As the welfare state expanded in the 20th century, voluntary social work became a supplement rather than a primary provider of social support. However, volunteering in social service organisations remains a key driver of civic engagement see section 2.4

Traditionally, volunteering has been tied to membership in associations, with 62% of voluntary activities still organised this way in 2024. 

In recent years, volunteering patterns have shifted. More Danes are engaging in short-term or online volunteering, and some are recruited by municipalities and volunteer centres. Despite this, the average time spent volunteering has slightly increased, from 15 hours per month in 2020 to 18 hours in 2024. While the nature of volunteering is evolving, it continues to play a vital role in Danish society.

Main concepts

Definition of voluntary work in Denmark

Voluntary or non-obligatory, i.e. undertaken freely without physical force, legal coercion, or financial pressure, and without the threat of financial or social sanctions (e.g. stopping social security benefits or being cut off from a social network) if the volunteer no longer wishes to continue the work. In order to be included in this definition of voluntary work, the work must have the following characteristics:

• It must be unpaid. However, this does not mean that the volunteer cannot be reimbursed for expenses incurred while carrying out the activities, such as travel and telephone expenses, or the receipt of a payment of a symbolic amount as compensation for the voluntary work.
• Carried out for persons other than the volunteer’s own family and relatives. This distinguishes voluntary work from ordinary domestic activities and the informal care of family members.
• For the benefit of other people than the volunteer and his or her family. The value that the work has for others makes it voluntary work. This precludes participation in, for instance, self-help groups or participation as a mere member of a sport clubs from being voluntary work.
• Formally organised – mostly in an association, although this need not be the case. However, ordinary helpfulness or spontaneous acts are not voluntary work.

Voluntary work carried out by young people also falls within the above definition.