Social Differences in Youth Volunteering in an Increasingly Diverse Society: An Intersectional Approach

Volunteering offers young people valuable opportunities for personal and social development, yet social inequalities in access and participation persist. This study examines how ethnicity/migration background, gender and social status shape formal volunteering among Flemish youth, with special attention to how these characteristics intersect. Using survey data from students (age: 15–20) in urban areas and a rural control group ( n = 2,354), we apply a multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (MAIDHA) analysis and multilevel logistic models to analyse individual, intersectional and interaction patterns. Results show clear differences in formal voluntary engagement by migration background but no clear differences based on social status or gender. However, intersectional analyses nuance this general pattern, revealing barriers that remain hidden when characteristics are studied separately. By highlighting these intersectional dynamics, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of social inequalities in youth volunteering and underscores the importance of moving beyond single-axis analyses.