Participation or membership in associations or groups shows that a person is actively contributing to the organisation of their living environment and consequently is an expression of social integration.
Relevance/Result
Trends over time
Major region
In 2019, 44% of the resident population actively participated in associations, societies, clubs, political parties or other groups. People without a migration background are significantly more actively involved than those with a migration background (53% compared with 28% for the first generation and 35% for the second or subsequent generations). Passive participation in an association or group is overall less frequent (13%). Here, the first generation tends to have a higher rate than the second or subsequent generation. As with active participation, a significantly higher rate is observed in the population without a migration background.
Between 2014 and 2019, there is a significant increase in 2015 in all groups in terms of active participation in an association or group. But in 5 years, there is no significant change in the different groups according to the migratory status.
On the other hand, the rate of passive participation decreases significantly in the population without a migration background and in the first generation during the same period. It tends to decline in the 2nd or higher generations of arrival.
In each major region where the distinction according to migration status is possible, it can be seen that the population with a migration background is less actively involved in associations or groups than the population without a migration background. The largest relative differences in active participation between groups according to migration status can be observed in eastern and North-Weste Switzerland. In these regions, the population with a migration background shows rates that are 2 times lower than the population without a migration background. The Lake Geneva region and the Espace Mittelland are the only major regions where the population without a migration background has a significantly higher rate of passive participation in an association or a group than the population with a migration background.
Definitions
The definition of this indicator on participation in an association or group includes voluntary activities (also if the person does not belong to a group or organisation) as well as religious activities and involvement in associations, societies, clubs, other groups and political parties.
The indicator on active participation is calculated on the basis of people who answered yes to the following question: “Have you taken part in the activities of an association, society, club, political party or other group over the past 12 months? “.
Voluntary activities: voluntary activities should be included even if the respondent does not belong to a group or organisation: e.g. cooking or shopping for people who need help, cleaning up beaches, etc.
Religious activities: include participation in religious holidays or ceremonies and voluntary work for religious groups.
Activities in associations, societies, clubs or other groups: holding a stand, distributing leaflets or participating in leisure activities, etc. These can be groups concerned with the environment, civil rights, neighbourhood issues, sport, hobbies, and leisure activities, etc.
Political party activities: demonstrations, petitions and letters to the media, etc.
Passive participation is calculated based on persons who answered yes to this question: "Are you nevertheless a supportive or passive member of associations, societies, clubs, political parties or other groups? ». This question was asked to all those who responded that they were not an active member of an association.
Methodologies
Following changes to the survey framework and improvements in the weighting model, results from 2014 on can no longer be directly compared with those from previous years (series break).
Contact
Federal Statistical Office Section Demography and MigrationEspace de l'Europe 10
CH-2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland