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Social Capital and Sustainable Social Development—How Are Changes in Neighbourhood Social Capital Associated with Neighbourhood Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Characteristics?

Author

Listed:
  • Malin Eriksson

    (Department of Social Work, Umeå University, Universitetstorget 4, 907 36 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Ailiana Santosa

    (School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18A, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Liv Zetterberg

    (Department of Social Work, Umeå University, Universitetstorget 4, 907 36 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Ichiro Kawachi

    (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Nawi Ng

    (School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18A, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden)

Abstract

The development of social capital is acknowledged as key for sustainable social development. Little is known about how social capital changes over time and how it correlates with sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors. This study was conducted in 46 neighbourhoods in Umeå Municipality, northern Sweden. The aim was to examine neighbourhood-level characteristics associated with changes in neighbourhood social capital and to discuss implications for local policies for sustainable social development. We designed an ecological study linking survey data to registry data in 2006 and 2020. Over 14 years, social capital increased in 9 and decreased in 15 neighbourhoods. Higher levels of social capital were associated with specific sociodemographic factors, but these differed in urban and rural areas. Urban neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of older pensioners (OR = 1.49, CI: 1.16–1.92), children under 12 (OR= 2.13, CI: 1.31–3.47), or a lower proportion of foreign-born members (OR= 0.32, CI: 0.19–0.55) had higher odds for higher social capital levels. In rural neighbourhoods, a higher proportion of single-parent households was associated with higher levels of social capital (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.04–1.98). Neighbourhood socioeconomic factors such as income or educational level did not influence neighbourhood social capital. Using repeated measures of social capital, this study gives insights into how social capital changes over time in local areas and the factors influencing its development. Local policies to promote social capital for sustainable social development should strive to integrate diverse demographic groups within neighbourhoods and should increase opportunities for inter-ethnic interactions.

Suggested Citation

  • Malin Eriksson & Ailiana Santosa & Liv Zetterberg & Ichiro Kawachi & Nawi Ng, 2021. "Social Capital and Sustainable Social Development—How Are Changes in Neighbourhood Social Capital Associated with Neighbourhood Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Characteristics?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-22, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:23:p:13161-:d:689574
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. František Murgaš & František Petrovič & Anna Tirpáková, 2022. "Social Capital as a Predictor of Quality of Life: The Czech Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-17, May.
    3. Tan Yigitcanlar, 2021. "Greening the Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable Planet: An Editorial Commentary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Shan Guan & Jianjun Wang, 2023. "Research on the Optimal Design of Community Public Space from the Perspective of Social Capital," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-21, June.
    5. Magdalena Sjöberg, 2025. "From a bad to good reputation: a case study illustrating the re-branding of a stigmatized neighbourhood in Sweden," Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 21(2), pages 223-231, June.
    6. Nessica Nässén & Maja Lilja & Stefan Sjöberg & Johan Colding, 2025. "Community climate commons for collective climate action," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 2078-2095, April.
    7. Zaiats, Tеtiana & Kraievska, Halyna & Diakonenko, Oksana, . "Social capital of rural territorial communities in Ukraine: problems of strengthening and directions of their solution," Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, vol. 8(2).
    8. Pawlewicz, Katarzyna & Senetra, Adam, 2024. "Religious involvement in the context of public moral standards and sustainable social development – A case study of Polish voivodeships," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).

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