About one quarter of the Swiss population are involved in organised volunteer work, in associations and clubs, charitable organisations and political or public bodies.

Men outnumber women in sports and cultural associations, interest groups, public service and political bodies, while women are the majority in church-related and charitable organisations.

A slightly smaller proportion of the population is involved in informal voluntary work, such as looking after children or adult relatives, or helping friends and relations. Women greatly outnumber men in this kind of work.