UK Civil Society Almanac 2024

In 2021/22, there were approximately 166,000 voluntary organisations spread across the UK, largely mirroring population distribution.

In England:

• there were around 132,000 voluntary organisations – 79% of the UK’s total, slightly less than its 84% share of the population
• a density of 2.26 organisation per 1,000 people, in line with the previous year.

In Scotland:

• there were around 20,000 organisations – 12% of the UK’s total and higher than its 8% share of the population
• a density of 3.6 organisations per 1,000 people.

In Northern Ireland:

• there were around 7,500 organisations – 4% of the UK total, in line with its 4.8% of the share of total population
• the number of organisations has increased from 6,500 in 2020/21
• a relatively high density of 3.9 organisations per 1,000 people compared to 3.4 per 1,000 people in 2020/21.

In Wales:

• there were around 7,200 organisations – 4% of the UK total, slightly higher than its 3.2% share of the population
• a density similar to England at 2.3 organisations per 1,000 people.

In England, London and the south-east remain a hub for the voluntary sector. Over half of all voluntary organisations are based in London and the south-east, reflecting their roles as key centres of economic and social activity in the UK.

• In London and the south-east there are around 50,000 organisations (51% of England’s total)
• In the south-west and the east of England there are around 33,000 organisations (25% of England’s total).
• In the north of England (comprising the north-west, north-east, and Yorkshire and the Humber) there are around 27,000 organisations (21% of England’s total),
• The north-east has the lowest density at 1.7 organisations per 1,000 people
• In the Midlands there are around 22,000 organisations (16% of England’s total)
• The Midlands has a density of 2.0 organisations per 1,000 people, which is slightly below the national average.

Large, major and super-major organisations

In England, 69% of all large, major, and super-major organisations (income over £1m ) are based in London, the south, and the east of England.

London remains the centre of the UK’s voluntary sector, with:

• 39% of large, major and super-major organisations
• 6 in 10 of all super-major organisations.

The rest of the large, major and super-major organisations are split between:

• the north-west, north-east, and Yorkshire and the Humber (19%)
• the south-east (14%)
• the Midlands (12%)
• the south-west (9%)
• the east of England (8%).

Super-major organisations are less widely spread across England. In the north, the north-west hosts the regions only two super-major organisations.

In the Midlands, the West Midlands hosts four out of the region’s five super-major organisations.

Micro and small organisations

Micro and small organisations are more evenly spread and just 16% are based in London.

The Midlands is home to 17% of small and micro organisations.

The north is slightly underrepresented relative to population, with 21% of small and micro organisations.

The south-east and south-west are overrepresented with 33% of small and micro organisations.

Voluntary organisations based in London account for £28bn (48%) of all English income and £59bn (64%) of assets.

Organisations in:

• the south-east, south-west, and east of England together hold 28% of income and 22% of assets in England.
• the northern regions hold 14% of income and 9% of assets
• the Midlands hold 9% of income and 5% of assets.

This reflects the 'headquarter effect', where the financial resources of larger organisations are often concentrated where their headquarters are based – usually London and the south-east.

Where an organisation is based is not necessarily where their beneficiaries are located or where they spend their money. This is particularly true for those organisations operating at a national or international level.

Smaller organisations mainly operate in their local area:

• 76% of micro organisations (income less than £10,000) and 74% of small organisations (income between £10,000 and £100,000) operate solely at a local level.

Larger organisations usually work nationally and internationally:

• 72% of super-major organisations (income over £100m ) and 39% of major organisations (income between £10m and £100m) operate nationally but not internationally.
• 13% of super-major organisations operate exclusively overseas – almost double the number of micro, small and medium organisations.