The Decline of Volunteering in America: Economic Factors and Rural-Urban Differences

Volunteering rates have been declining across the US in recent decades, raising concerns about the health of civil society and local communities. Researchers Dr Rebecca Nesbit, Dr Laurie Paarlberg, and their colleagues have investigated the complex economic and geographic factors contributing to this trend. Their work sheds light on how economic conditions, rural-urban differences, and community characteristics shape volunteering behaviors across the country.