Community Insights/Community Insights 2020 Report/Aggregate Data

2020 Community Insights Report

Aggregated data reporting will appear here as it becomes available.

Demographics and Participation edit

In what year did you begin contributing to the Wikimedia movement or its projects? edit

Option Number Percent
2001 25 1.4
2002 8 0.4
2003 33 1.9
2004 79 4.5
2005 112 6.4
2006 151 8.6
2007 112 6.4
2008 114 6.5
2009 97 5.6
2010 90 5.2
2011 66 3.8
2012 78 4.5
2013 79 4.5
2014 87 5.0
2015 86 4.9
2016 107 6.1
2017 127 7.3
2018 166 9.5
2019 130 7.4
Total 1749 100

In what ways do you participate in the Wikimedia movement? Please check all that apply. edit

All respondents, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
I create, contribute, and/or edit content on at least one Wikimedia project (e.g., Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Wikidata, etc.). 2538 98.0
I contribute to code and/or software development for MediaWiki or other Wikimedia technical projects. 209 8.1
I serve an on-wiki administrative role (for example, an admin, bureaucrat, or steward). 465 17.6
I organize Wikimedia projects, events, or groups. 431 16.6
I represent an affiliate. 205 7.9
Total 2589 n/a

What is your age? edit

Option Number Percent
18-24 258 15.5
25-34 318 19.1
35-44 321 19.3
45-54 321 19.3
55-64 254 15.2
65-74 139 8.4
75-84 48 2.9
85+ 4 0.3
Total 1664 100

How many years (full-time equivalent) have you been in formal education? edit

Option Number Percent
I have no formal schooling 3 0.2
1-6 25 1.5
7 8 0.5
8 11 0.7
9 16 0.9
10 25 1.5
11 34 2.0
12 77 4.5
13 75 4.4
14 85 5.0
15 143 8.4
16 249 14.7
17 159 9.4
18 209 12.3
More than 18 577 34.0
Total 1696 100

Would you describe the place you live as... edit

Option Number Percent
A farm or home in the country 34 2.0
A country village 98 5.8
A small city or town 453 26.7
The metropolitan area of a big city (suburbs or outskirts) 380 22.4
A big city 730 43.1
Total 1695 100

Where do you currently live? edit

Note: These frequencies are unweighted.

Region Subregion Number Percent
Africa 54 2.3
Northern Africa 22 0.9
Sub-Saharan Africa 32 1.3
Asia 457 19.0
Eastern Asia 189 7.9
Southern Asia 110 4.6
South-eastern Asia 83 3.5
Central Asia 7 0.3
Western Asia 68 2.8
Europe 1340 55.9
Eastern Europe 331 13.8
Southern Europe 266 11.1
Northern Europe 179 7.5
Western Europe 564 23.5
Latin America and the Caribbean 227 9.5
South America 190 7.9
Central America 33 1.4
Caribbean 3 0.1
Northern America 291 12.1
Oceania 30 1.3
Australia and New Zealand 28 1.2
Melanesia 0 0.0
Micronesia 1 0.0
Polynesia 1 0.0
Total 2399 100

What language or languages are you fluent in? edit

Note: Only reporting for languages with fluency among at least 2.0 percent of respondents. The 2019 survey was available in 13 languages, so other language fluencies are underrepresented here.

Option Number Percent
English 244 13.7
German 206 11.6
Spanish 191 10.8
French 155 8.7
Russian 136 7.6
Portuguese 96 5.4
Italian 85 4.8
Japanese 75 4.2
Chinese 73 4.1
Polish 64 3.6
Dutch 60 3.4
Ukranian 40 2.3
Total 1774 100

What is your current gender identity? Select all that apply. edit

Option Number Percent
Male/man 1470 86.9
Female/woman 196 11.6
Transgender 7 0.4
Non-binary 14 0.8
Genderqueer 7 0.4
A different identity 25 1.5
Total 1691 n/a

Brand Awareness edit

Before taking this survey, had you ever heard of the Wikimedia Foundation? edit

Option Number Percent
Yes 3560 78.1
No 689 6.8
I'm not sure 312 15.1
Total 4561 100

The Wikimedia Foundation's vision is "a world in which every single human being can freely share in the sum of all knowledge." How well does this vision represent your values or the work that you do on Wikimedia projects? edit

Option Number Percent
Not at all 127 3.2
Somewhat 506 12.7
Mostly 1326 33.3
Completely 2016 50.7
Total 3975 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement? - I am confident in the Wikimedia Foundation's ability to support the global movement. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 104 3.4
Disagree 195 6.4
Neither agree nor disagree 765 25.3
Agree 1445 47.8
Strongly agree 511 16.9
Total 1928 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement? edit

The Wikimedia Foundation has the right programs and strategies to support this goal: By 2030, Wikimedia will become the essential infrastructure of the ecosystem of free knowledge, and anyone who shares our vision will be able to join us. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 74 3.2
Disagree 138 6.1
Neither agree nor disagree 504 22.1
Agree 1112 48.7
Strongly agree 456 20.0
Total 2284 100

Global Advocacy edit

In which of the following ways are you involved in public policy or advocacy? Select all that apply. edit

Option Number Percent
Participating in the public policy mailing list (publicpolicy@lists.wikimedia.org) 105 3.7
Leading public policy actions in a Wikimedia affiliate (such as a chapter or user group) 144 5.1
Discussing Wikimedia or related issues directly with lawmakers 146 5.2
Attending in-person meetings or conferences 217 9.6
None of the above 2383 84.1
Total 2831 n/a

How much would you disagree with the following statement: I know enough about policies or laws that govern the internet to engage in policy advocacy efforts. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 280 14.6
Disagree 405 21.0
Neither agree nor disagree 444 23.0
Agree 645 33.5
Strongly agree 152 7.9
Total 1927 100

How much would you disagree with the following statement: I know enough about policies or laws about copyright to engage in policy advocacy efforts. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 238 12.0
Disagree 339 17.0
Neither agree nor disagree 436 21.9
Agree 737 37.0
Strongly agree 243 12.2
Total 1993 100

How much would you disagree with the following statement: I know enough about policies or laws about privacy to engage in policy advocacy efforts. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 240 12.1
Disagree 337 17.0
Neither agree nor disagree 452 22.8
Agree 729 36.7
Strongly agree 226 11.4
Total 1984 100

How much would you disagree with the following statement: I know enough about policies or laws about free expression to engage in policy advocacy efforts. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 221 10.9
Disagree 301 14.8
Neither agree nor disagree 438 21.6
Agree 752 37.1
Strongly agree 317 15.6
Total 2029 100

How much would you disagree with the following statement: I know enough about policies or laws that govern Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects to engage in policy advocacy efforts. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 269 14.0
Disagree 375 19.6
Neither agree nor disagree 504 26.3
Agree 552 28.7
Strongly agree 219 11.4
Total 1919 100

In your opinion, which of the following areas of public policy are most important for Wikimedia? Select up to 2 options. edit

Option Number Percent
Access: Knowledge should be freely accessible by everyone, across every country, language, and device. 1864 74.8
Copyright: People don’t just read anymore; they create, share, and remix. Copyright law should evolve to reflect this new reality. 727 29.1
Censorship or free expression: Everyone should have the right to share and access knowledge without government censorship. 1083 43.4
Privacy: Everyone should be free to read and write without governments or advertisers looking over their shoulders. 688 27.6
Intermediary liability: The law should allow internet platforms to stay out of editorial decisions so that people can share and speak freely. 241 9.7
Total 2493 n/a

Platform Evolution edit

How much would you disagree with the following statement: MediaWiki and related software currently have a safe, healthy, and sustainable codebase. edit

Volunteer developers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 4 2.6
Disagree 25 15.9
Neither agree nor disagree 33 21.0
Agree 75 47.8
Strongly agree 20 12.7
Total 157 100

How much would you disagree with the following statement: The code for MediaWiki and related software can be applied to other Wikimedia projects when needed. edit

Volunteer developers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 5 3.1
Disagree 8 5.0
Neither agree nor disagree 23 14.4
Agree 97 60.6
Strongly agree 27 16.9
Total 160 100

How much would you disagree with the following statement: The code for MediaWiki and related software is appropriate for Wikimedia and other projects. edit

Volunteer developers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 4 2.5
Disagree 10 6.2
Neither agree nor disagree 29 18.0
Agree 87 54.0
Strongly agree 31 19.3
Total 161 100

How much would you disagree with the following statement: The code development processes for MediaWiki and related software make it easy for me to contribute high-quality code. edit

Volunteer developers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 15 10.6
Disagree 22 15.6
Neither agree nor disagree 31 22.0
Agree 51 36.2
Strongly agree 22 15.6
Total 141 100

How much would you disagree with the following statement: The MediaWiki deployment tooling for Wikimedia projects is easy to use. edit

Volunteer developers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 15 11.5
Disagree 20 15.4
Neither agree nor disagree 33 25.4
Agree 43 33.1
Strongly agree 19 14.6
Total 130 100

How much would you disagree with the following statement: The MediaWiki deployment tooling for Wikimedia projects is effective. edit

Volunteer developers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 11 8.7
Disagree 10 7.9
Neither agree nor disagree 28 22.0
Agree 59 46.5
Strongly agree 19 15.0
Total 127 100

How often do you experience the following barriers to contributing code to Wikimedia or MediaWiki? - Difficulty setting up development environment. edit

Volunteer developers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Never 19 16.8
Some of the time 56 49.6
Most of the time 26 23.0
All of the time 12 10.6
Total 113 100

How often do you experience the following barriers to contributing code to Wikimedia or MediaWiki? - Unclear or missing documentation about how to contribute software. edit

Volunteer developers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Never 12 9.1
Some of the time 65 49.2
Most of the time 34 25.8
All of the time 21 15.9
Total 132 100

How often do you experience the following barriers to contributing code to Wikimedia or MediaWiki? - Slow code review process. edit

Volunteer developers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Never 14 12.6
Some of the time 41 36.9
Most of the time 39 35.1
All of the time 17 15.3
Total 111 100

How often do you experience the following barriers to contributing code to Wikimedia or MediaWiki? - Difficulty finding a person or documentation to get questions answered. edit

Volunteer developers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Never 13 9.8
Some of the time 68 51.5
Most of the time 25 18.9
All of the time 26 19.7
Total 127 100

How often do you experience the following barriers to contributing code to Wikimedia or MediaWiki? - Members of the technical community are not helpful or not friendly. edit

Volunteer developers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Never 63 49.6
Some of the time 46 36.2
Most of the time 11 8.7
All of the time 7 5.5
Total 127 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements about all the software you use to contribute to Wikipedia or other Wikimedia projects? - The software is easy to use. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 41 2.7
Disagree 169 11.0
Neither agree nor disagree 271 17.7
Agree 837 54.5
Strongly agree 217 14.1
Total 1536 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements about all the software you use to contribute to Wikipedia or other Wikimedia projects? - I have the right buttons or tools to do what I need to do. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 40 2.7
Disagree 156 10.4
Neither agree nor disagree 240 16.1
Agree 845 56.6
Strongly agree 212 14.2
Total 1492 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements about all the software you use to contribute to Wikipedia or other Wikimedia projects? - The software works the way I expect it to. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 23 1.5
Disagree 128 8.5
Neither agree nor disagree 290 19.3
Agree 857 56.9
Strongly agree 208 13.8
Total 1506 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements about all the software you use to contribute to Wikipedia or other Wikimedia projects? - I know how and where to report a technical problem or “bug” that affects my editing. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 157 11.6
Disagree 344 25.4
Neither agree nor disagree 282 20.8
Agree 433 32.0
Strongly agree 137 10.1
Total 1353 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - The Wikimedia Foundation prioritizes the software that is most needed for Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 36 3.2
Disagree 75 6.7
Neither agree nor disagree 370 33.1
Agree 511 45.7
Strongly agree 126 11.3
Total 1118 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - When the Wikimedia Foundation creates software, they collaborate well with people in my Wikimedia project or community. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 51 5.0
Disagree 110 10.8
Neither agree nor disagree 410 40.3
Agree 362 35.6
Strongly agree 84 8.3
Total 1017 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - The Wikimedia Foundation produces high-quality software. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 36 2.8
Disagree 78 6.0
Neither agree nor disagree 354 27.4
Agree 627 48.7
Strongly agree 195 15.1
Total 1289 100

Thriving Movement edit

Since you started editing Wikimedia projects, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements: It has been easy to learn the editing tools. edit

New contributors only.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 8 3.3
Disagree 40 15.8
Neither agree nor disagree 22 8.8
Agree 142 56.0
Strongly agree 41 16.1
Total 253 100

Since you started editing Wikimedia projects, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements: It has been easy to learn editing policies. edit

New contributors only.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 15 6.0
Disagree 39 16.0
Neither agree nor disagree 43 17.7
Agree 118 48.4
Strongly agree 29 11.9
Total 244 100

Since you started editing Wikimedia projects, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements: Learning to edit has been easy. edit

New contributors only.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 9 3.6
Disagree 21 8.3
Neither agree nor disagree 18 7.4
Agree 154 61.2
Strongly agree 49 19.5
Total 251 100

Since you started editing Wikimedia projects, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements: I feel like I understand the rules for editing content. edit

New contributors only.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 7 2.7
Disagree 19 7.8
Neither agree nor disagree 31 12.7
Agree 151 62.3
Strongly agree 35 14.4
Total 243 100

Since you started editing Wikimedia projects, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements: Other editors have been kind. edit

New contributors only.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 5 2.1
Disagree 7 3.1
Neither agree nor disagree 45 20.5
Agree 118 53.3
Strongly agree 47 21.0
Total 222 100

Since you started editing Wikimedia projects, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements: Other editors have been helpful. edit

New contributors only.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 7 2.9
Disagree 12 5.2
Neither agree nor disagree 56 24.6
Agree 103 45.1
Strongly agree 51 22.3
Total 228 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement: - If I wanted or needed it, I know of opportunities to be mentored by a more experienced editor. edit

New contributors only.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 24 12.0
Disagree 34 16.9
Neither agree nor disagree 33 16.4
Agree 79 39.2
Strongly agree 31 15.5
Total 203 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I would recommend Wikimedia projects as a great place to contribute. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 65 2.9
Disagree 90 4.0
Neither agree nor disagree 328 14.5
Agree 1001 44.2
Strongly agree 779 34.4
Total 2262 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - The Wikimedia vision is to freely share in the sum of all knowledge. This vision inspires me to contribute more to Wikimedia projects than I would somewhere else. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 74 3.3
Disagree 95 4.2
Neither agree nor disagree 317 14.0
Agree 982 43.3
Strongly agree 796 35.2
Total 2265 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I take pride in contributing to the Wikimedia projects. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 55 2.4
Disagree 72 3.2
Neither agree nor disagree 302 13.3
Agree 914 40.2
Strongly agree 930 40.9
Total 2273 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I expect to be contributing to Wikimedia two years from now. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 52 2.4
Disagree 56 2.6
Neither agree nor disagree 246 11.5
Agree 855 39.9
Strongly agree 932 43.5
Total 2141 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I often think about quitting as a contributor to Wikimedia projects. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 558 29.4
Disagree 725 38.1
Neither agree nor disagree 286 15.1
Agree 227 11.9
Strongly agree 104 5.5
Total 1901 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I feel like I belong in the Wikimedia movement. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 91 4.9
Disagree 204 11.0
Neither agree nor disagree 356 19.2
Agree 887 47.7
Strongly agree 320 17.2
Total 1858 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I feel respected in the Wikimedia movement. edit

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 100 5.5
Disagree 158 8.7
Neither agree nor disagree 497 27.4
Agree 824 45.4
Strongly agree 235 13.0
Total 1814 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - When I am presented with a challenge in my on-wiki role, I usually know how to address it. edit

On-wiki admins only.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 0 0.0
Disagree 5 3.3
Neither agree nor disagree 15 8.9
Agree 109 66.9
Strongly agree 34 20.9
Total 163 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - When I am presented with a challenge in my on-wiki role, I am usually able to address it in the way I think is most appropriate. edit

On-wiki admins only.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 0 0.0
Disagree 2 1.4
Neither agree nor disagree 17 10.7
Agree 111 69.7
Strongly agree 29 18.2
Total 160 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - When I am presented with a challenge in my on-wiki role, I usually have the resources I need to address it. edit

On-wiki admins only.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 1 0.6
Disagree 6 3.7
Neither agree nor disagree 21 13.3
Agree 106 66.7
Strongly agree 25 15.7
Total 160 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - Other volunteers usually provide the help and support I need to execute my on-wiki role. edit

On-wiki admins only.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 4 2.2
Disagree 9 5.7
Neither agree nor disagree 26 16.2
Agree 93 57.9
Strongly agree 29 18.0
Total 160 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - If I contact them, the Wikimedia Foundation usually provides the help and support I need to execute my on-wiki role. edit

On-wiki admins only.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 12 12.5
Disagree 11 11.2
Neither agree nor disagree 34 36.1
Agree 27 28.3
Strongly agree 11 11.9
Total 94 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I know whom to ask for help with my Wikimedia program or partnership. edit

Movement organizers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 11 3.0
Disagree 28 7.7
Neither agree nor disagree 43 11.9
Agree 206 56.9
Strongly agree 74 20.4
Total 362 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I have people who can help me with my Wikimedia programs or partnerships. edit

Movement organizers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 8 2.2
Disagree 18 4.9
Neither agree nor disagree 33 8.9
Agree 222 60.2
Strongly agree 88 23.8
Total 369 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I have access to the right tools or software to implement my Wikimedia programs and partnerships. edit

Movement organizers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 11 3.3
Disagree 35 10.4
Neither agree nor disagree 82 24.5
Agree 163 48.7
Strongly agree 44 13.1
Total 335 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I have access to documentation and training materials to help me implement my Wikimedia program or partnerships. edit

Movement organizers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 15 4.3
Disagree 33 9.5
Neither agree nor disagree 74 21.3
Agree 177 51.0
Strongly agree 48 13.8
Total 347 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I have access to communications materials and tools that help me reach the people that I want to engage with my programs and partnerships. edit

Movement organizers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 15 4.4
Disagree 37 10.9
Neither agree nor disagree 68 20.1
Agree 171 50.6
Strongly agree 47 13.9
Total 338 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I have access to funding that I need to implement my programs or partnerships. edit

Movement organizers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 46 13.6
Disagree 69 20.4
Neither agree nor disagree 86 25.4
Agree 98 28.9
Strongly agree 40 11.8
Total 339 100

How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements? - I have access to the non-monetary resources (e.g., event space) that I need for implementing my programs or partnerships. edit

Movement organizers only, unweighted by editing activity.

Option Number Percent
Strongly disagree 23 6.9
Disagree 56 16.7
Neither agree nor disagree 79 23.6
Agree 126 37.6
Strongly agree 51 15.2
Total 335 100

In the last 12 months, how often have you felt unsafe or uncomfortable contributing to Wikimedia projects online? edit

Option Number Percent
Never 1176 64.7
Once 188 10.3
2-4 times 271 14.9
5-10 times 70 3.8
More than 10 times 113 6.2
Total 1818 100

In the last 12 months, have you been harassed, bullied, or attacked in any Wikimedia online or offline space? edit

Option Number Percent
Yes 273 13.3
I'm not sure 132 6.4
No 1647 80.3
Total 1818 100

In the past 12 months, how often have you been sexually harassed on Wikimedia projects or at Wikimedia events, such as sexual remarks made toward you or someone touching your body inappropriately? - Wikimedia projects (online) edit

Option Number Percent
Never 1913 98.1
Once 20 1.0
2-4 times 7 0.4
5-10 times 0 0.0
More than 10 times 9 0.4
Total 1950 100

In the past 12 months, how often have you been sexually harassed on Wikimedia projects or at Wikimedia events, such as sexual remarks made toward you or someone touching your body inappropriately? - Wikimedia events (offline) edit

Option Number Percent
Never 1822 99.0
Once 6 0.3
2-4 times 7 0.4
5-10 times 2 0.1
More than 10 times 3 0.2
Total 1841 100