Census 2022: 14% of Westmeath population volunteer regularly

Some 14% of Westmeath’s population do volunteer work on a regular basis, according to new figures from Census 2022.

It shows that 13,500 people volunteer in their community, of which 6,500 are female and 7,000 are male.

Sports is the most popular voluntary activity in Westmeath, with 5,900 people - or 6% of the population - giving up free time to help out at various clubs and organisations.

Some 3,200 people in the county volunteer in charitable organisations while 2,500 volunteer in religious organisations.

Just 313 people volunteer with political organisations.

Moate had the highest percentage of volunteers in the country, at 15% of its population, while Killucan was lowest at 9%.

Elsewhere, the census found that 10% of the population in Mullingar volunteer regularly while 12% do in Athlone.

The average age of a volunteer in Westmeath is 47 years old.

The largest group of volunteers is among people aged 45-64 where there were 5,057 people volunteering.

A further 3,998 people aged 25-44 are also involved in voluntary activities.

There are an additional 700 children under the age of 15 who volunteer in Westmeath.