The 2010 United Nations University Survey Wikipedia’s Contributor Landscape

The 2010 United Nations University Survey Wikipedia’s Contributor Landscape revealed some interesting findings about the demographics of those who contribute to the popular online encyclopedia. The survey, which was conducted by researchers from the United Nations University and Maastricht University, aimed to shed light on who exactly is behind the content that millions of people around the world rely on for information.

One of the key takeaways from the survey was that Wikipedia contributors are overwhelmingly male. In fact, a staggering 87% of all contributors identified as male, while only 13% identified as female. This gender disparity is concerning, especially considering that Wikipedia aims to provide a diverse range of perspectives and knowledge to its readers.

Another notable finding from the survey was that Wikipedia contributors tend to be highly educated. Over half of all contributors reported having a bachelor’s degree or higher, with many holding advanced degrees in fields such as computer science, engineering, and mathematics. This high level of education likely contributes to the accuracy and reliability 2010 survey which looked at demographics for the whole of Wikipedia also found that most Wikipedia contributors are relatively young. The majority were under 30 years old, with many falling into the 18-22 age range. This youthfulness could explain why certain topics on Wikipedia skew towards more modern or contemporary subjects, as younger contributors may be more interested in these areas.

Interestingly, despite being a global platform, most Wikipedia contributors hail from just a handful of countries. The United States accounted for over half of all contributors surveyed, followed by Germany and France. This geographic concentration raises questions about whose voices are being heard on Wikipedia and whether there is enough diversity in terms of cultural perspectives.

Overall, the 2010 United Nations University Survey shed light on some important trends within the world of Wikipedia editing. While it’s clear that there is a dedicated community of individuals working tirelessly to improve and expand upon this valuable resource, there are also some significant gaps in representation that need to be addressed.

Moving forward, it will be crucial for organizations like Wikimedia Foundation – which oversees Wikipedia – to actively work towards increasing diversity among its contributor base. By encouraging more women and individuals from underrepresented regions to get involved in editing articles and adding their unique insights to this vast repository of knowledge, we can ensure that Wikipedia continues to serve as an inclusive platform for sharing information with people around the world.