Where are voluntary organisations based?

Need to know

  • Voluntary organisations are broadly spread in a similar pattern to population distribution across the UK
  • Within England, there are disproportionately more charities in the south than in the midlands and north.
  • Larger organisations in England are disproportionately based in the south
  • Organisations based in London and the south hold the majority of the sector’s income and assets
  • Larger organisations are more likely to be active nationally and internationally, while smaller voluntary organisations are more likely to operate locally

Voluntary organisations across the UK

  • There are 165,758 voluntary organisations across the UK, most of which are broadly spread across the nations.
  • England is home to 131,516 or 79% of all UK voluntary organisations, which is slightly less than its population (84% of the UK) and an increase of over 2,000 from 2018/19. There are 2.3 organisations per 1,000 people in England, which is slightly lower than for the UK (2.5)
  • Scotland has 20,804 organisations, which is about 13% of the UK’s total compared to 8% of the population — the highest rate of organisations in the UK (3.8 per 1,000 people).
  • Northern Ireland, with 6,415 charities or 4% of the UK total, similarly has a higher ratio of charities of 3.4.
  • Wales has 7,023 charities or 4%, although based on population this is a slightly lower proportion than England with 2.2 organisations per 1,000 people.

Voluntary organisations are broadly spread in a similar pattern to population distribution across the UK

By English region

  • Over half (53%) of all English voluntary organisations are based in the south. 82,488 are based in London, south-east, south-west and the East of England (or 2.7 organisations per 1,000 people). The highest ratio is for the south-west with 3.0.
  • 27,569 organisations (28%) are based in the north (north-west, north-east and Yorkshire and the Humber) or 1.8 organisations per 1,000 people. The lowest proportion is in the north-east with 1.6.
  • The midlands (East and West) has 21,469 charities (19%), with a slightly higher proportion than in the north - a combined 2.0 organisations per 1,000 people — but lower than the English average (2.3).

Within England, there are disproportionately more charities in the south than in the midlands and north

By size

  • 69% of all large, major and super-major organisations (those with an income over £1m) in England are based in the south, including 39% based in London, 14% in the south-east, 9% in the south-west and 8% in the East of England.
  • The south is also home to 90% of all super-major organisations (those earning over £100m), which includes the 65% based in London.
  • The north has 19% of all large, major and super-major organisations. Just over half of these (10%) are based in the north-west, as are the only two super-major organisations in the north. 11% of larger organisations are in the midlands.
  • However, it is worth noting that where these voluntary organisations are based is not necessarily where their beneficiaries are or where they spend their money. For instance, many of these larger organisations work at a national level. This is often called the ‘headquarter effect’.

Larger organisations in England are disproportionately based in the south

Finances by region

  • Voluntary organisations that are based in London account for £23.5bn or 46% of all English income and £92.5bn or 67% of assets.
  • Southern-based organisations (London, south-east, south-west, East of England) have a combined 77% of income and 86% of assets.
  • Those organisations located in the north hold 14% of income and 8% of assets, and organisations from the midlands have 9% and 5% respectively.
  • Again, the ‘headquarter effect’ means that this does not necessarily mean that assets income and spending are not exclusive to where a charity is based, especially for larger, national voluntary organisations.

Organisations based in London and the south hold the majority of income and assets

By level of operations

  • Smaller organisations overwhelmingly operate in their local area. 76% of micro (income less than £10,000) and 73% of small organisations (between £10,000 and £100,000) operate completely on a local level.
  • In contrast, 72% of super-major organisations (over £100m) and 41% of major (between £10m £100m) operate nationally. 19% of super-majors operate overseas – three times that of micro or small organisations.
  • There is also a clear rural/urban split. In 2019/20, rural local authorities on average had 3.1 organisations per 1,000 people compared to 1.9 in urban areas.

Larger organisations are more likely to be active nationally and internationally while smaller voluntary organisations are more likely to operate solely in their local area

More data and research

Links and resources

This page was last reviewed for accuracy on 18 October 2022