---
title: "Community participation — Community data 2026"
url: https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2026/community/data/community-type
year: 2026
chapter: "community"
question: "CommunityType"
section: "Communities and learning"
licence: "ODbL 1.0 (https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1-0/)"
---

# Community participation

78% read discussions, but only 42% comment/react, 34% answer questions, and 31% ask questions. Open-source contribution sits at 28%, and event attendance at 21%. 14.5% don't participate at all. The community is a consumption economy: most people take far more than they give, and active contribution is a minority behavior.

Asked as: How do you participate in technical or professional communities? Select all that apply. (`CommunityType`, multi select, optional, v2026.1)

## Options offered

1. I read answers, posts, or discussions
2. I ask questions
3. I answer questions
4. I comment or react
5. I share resources with others
6. I follow specific creators or experts
7. I participate in private groups or chats
8. I attend events, meetups, or webinars
9. I contribute to open-source projects
10. I moderate or help manage a community
11. I do not currently participate in communities

## Results

### All Respondents

n = 15,917

|  | Respondents | Percent |
| --- | ---: | ---: |
| I read answers, posts, or discussions | 12,420 | 78.0% |
| I comment or react | 6,660 | 41.8% |
| I share resources with others | 5,597 | 35.2% |
| I answer questions | 5,358 | 33.7% |
| I ask questions | 4,972 | 31.2% |
| I follow specific creators or experts | 4,734 | 29.7% |
| I contribute to open-source projects | 4,468 | 28.1% |
| I attend events, meetups, or webinars | 3,339 | 21.0% |
| I participate in private groups or chats | 3,225 | 20.3% |
| I do not currently participate in communities | 2,304 | 14.5% |
| I moderate or help manage a community | 1,066 | 6.7% |

In context: https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2026/community/data.md