UK Charity sector statistics 2024

According to Register of Charities, as of 14 January 2025, there are 170,713 main charities registered in the UK and a further 14,161 linked* charities, totalling 184,874. Behind these registered charities, there are an incredible 1,124,241 employees, 923,842 trustees and 6,654,595 volunteers working hard to keep the charity sector buoyant.

Continue reading our article to discover UK charity sector statistics as of January 2025.

*A 'linked charity' is a charity that is linked to another charity (the 'reporting charity'). For example, if two charities have the same board of trustees, they can apply to be linked.

The UK charity sector

Charities sustain a very large and valuable sector both to the UK economy and to those who benefit from the great work these charities do. Since only not-for-profit organisations with an annual turnover of £5,000 are required to register, it is unclear as to how large the sector actually is. How charities work reports approximately 50% of all charities have an income of less than £10,000 per annum, while over 80% of all charities have an annual turnover of less than £100,000.

When the number of registered charities are combined with the 20,000+ UK organisations, such as schools and churches, that also have charitable status, then the sector surpasses 200,000.

Where are charities in the UK based?

UK charity community, Charity Excellence, shares how the true number of charities within the UK is far higher than the amount which are registered, estimated at 412,000. The distribution of these charities are as follows:

• England & Wales – 360,079
• Scotland – 45,000
• Northern Ireland – 7,205

How does the income of small charities differ in England & Wales?

The following figures, published in 2024, show the income of charities distributed across England and Wales.

Figures correct in December 2024.

The top 10 charities in England and Wales by income

Figures correct on 18th October 2024.

Protecting your charity with Markel Direct’s charity insurance

Charity organisations can protect themselves with Markel Direct’s charity insurance, which has been specifically designed to cover small charities, community groups and not-for-profit organisations from their daily business risks.

Charity insurance offers cover against a range of risks facing your organisation, including:

• An accident involving a visitor at a fundraising event, resulting in a personal injury claim being made against your charity (charity public liability insurance).
• An allegation of wrongdoing against a charity trustee and a subsequent investigation by a regulatory body (trustee indemnity insurance).
• A volunteer injuring themselves while working for the charity and being unable to work (employers' liability insurance).
• A service user alleging the charity provided sub-standard services and making a claim for compensation (professional indemnity insurance).

Few charities have the financial strength to pay the costs, damages and any awards made against them in the event of a claim. However, charity insurance is here to provide cover against these scenarios, giving you the peace of mind that, if something unexpected happens, your organisation will be covered.

Find out more about what insurance your charity should consider.

Discover articles surrounding fundraising ideas and how to recruit volunteers, or explore how Generation Z are coming one of charities’ biggest advocates in our insights piece.

Please note: This article provides guidance for information purposes only. It should not be relied upon wholly when making or taking important business decisions – always seek the services of an appropriately qualified professional. The views expressed by websites referenced to are limited to those of the websites, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Markel Direct.