World Scouting’s membership reaches historic highs, led by growth in Africa region
Scouting is bigger than ever! In 2025, World Scouting’s membership has an estimated reach of 60 million, a record high for the Movement that reflects its continued expansion into new communities, growing network of volunteers, and deepening of key partnerships.
“With a reach of 60 million young people and volunteers, Scouts have incredible potential to change the world. This is a powerful reminder of the strength of Scouting, the dedication of our volunteers, and the unity of our National Scout Organizations (NSOs) - all advancing our shared commitment to make Scouting more accessible and impactful to everyone, everywhere,” said David Berg, Secretary General of World Scouting.
This milestone projection is based on the latest growth trends, including official census figures that put registered membership at over 51.4 million in 2023, as NSOs continue to rebound after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance their operations and programmes.
Africa Scout region sees jump in youth membership
Several regions saw significant growth in 2023. Most notable was in Africa, where numbers nearly doubled (95.9%), rising to almost 10 million following efforts to strengthen national data collection.
Two countries in particular stood out: Nigeria, which added 2.3 million new members, and Kenya, which welcomed 2.2 million. These increases make Nigeria and Kenya the second- and third-largest NSOs in the Movement.
Scouting’s growth isn’t limited to just one part of the world. The number of young people and volunteers registered in the Asia-Pacific Region rose to 37.2 million (up 4.8% year-on-year), largely driven by gains in the Philippines, where over 772,000 new members were registered, and India, which saw an increase of more than 672,000.
Madhusudan Avala, Additional International Commissioner of India’s The Bharat Scouts and Guides, welcomed the rise in membership figures. “The Bharat Scouts and Guides has experienced a significant leap in membership growth since the formation of the National Growth Strategy in 2020, which aims to reach 4.5 million Scouts in India by 2025,” Madhusudan said, adding that the NSO hopes to leverage the country’s large youth population and have 10 million Scouts by 2028.
He added that having a growth strategy in place led to the “redesign of the youth programme, which focuses on inclusivity, community outreach, and programmes that drive growth and make a meaningful impact on young people and prepare them to be ready for life”.
This growth trend was followed in Europe, which now has 2 million members(up 3.7%), and the Arab Region with 515,000 (1.5%). While membership numbers dropped in the Interamerican Scout Region to 1.8 million (down 11.2%), there were positive signs in countries in Latin America, like Chile, where figures grew.
More girls and women in Scouting than ever before
2023 was also a milestone year for gender inclusion in Scouting with 18.8 million girls and women registered, the largest number ever. Of this total, most came from the Asia-Pacific Region with more than 13.5 million girls and women registered, followed by Africa (3.9 million), Europe (646,000), Interamerica (500,000), and Arab (131,000).
Such progress reflects targeted efforts by NSOs to bring about more inclusive and empowering programmes, making Scouting open to all. Training and initiatives designed to support girls' leadership and participation also played a big part in this increase.
Building back stronger
Across all Scout regions, NSOs have been working hard to rebound after a dip in membership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have put in place long-term growth strategies, expanded their resources and programme offerings, and reached out for support through WOSM Services.
NSOs submit official census data as part of their annual reporting requirements, providing crucial insight into the state and health of the Movement. In total, 134 of the 230 National Scout Organizations and National Scout Associations submitted data for the most recent census, providing a clear picture of where we stand and where we’re heading.