The Scottish charity sector’s turnover grew to £4.9bn in 2013, according to new figures released today by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Sector income has doubled over the last decade and rose by £300m in 2013. Spending by Scottish charities has doubled in the last ten years to reach £4.7bn in 2013. 

The figures also show that there are around 19,900 registered charitable organisations. Of these, 34 per cent work in the area of social care.

Some 138,000 people were employed in the charity sector as of 2011.

SCVO also found that two out of five organisations are spending more than they get in.

John Downie, director of public affairs, SCVO said:

“The charity sector is growing and spending more than ever to help people bearing the brunt of a bleak economy, public funding cuts and growing poverty and inequality.

“We clearly have a strong charity sector in Scotland, which is taking on an even more vital role in society and has the confidence to invest in innovative approaches to tackling Scotland’s biggest social challenges.

“Larger charities and foundations are seeing the majority of income growth, while average growth across the sector stands at 0.8 per cent despite a tough economic climate.

“42 per cent of charities are spending more than they earn because they are investing to meet increased demand for their services and plan for the future.”