Liechtenstein has the highest association density in the German speaking region. The leading field of activity is culture and music.

The Center for Philanthropy at the University of Liechtenstein has, for the first time, recorded the associations active in Liechtenstein and analysed their areas of activity. According to the findings, Liechtenstein has a higher association density than Switzerland, Austria and Germany. Most of the 851 associations operating in Liechtenstein are active in culture and music, followed by sport and exercise and leisure and social activities. Other major fields include social affairs and professional representation of interests and environment, nature conservation, animal welfare. In total, 17 fields of activity were recorded, including school and kindergarten, health care and accident, rescue service, volunteer fire brigade.

Most of the associations active in Liechtenstein are based in Vaduz (227), followed by Schaan (118) and Mauren or Schaanwald (96). The study also identified 16 Swiss and one Austrian association in which people from Liechtenstein also engage in matters concerning Liechtenstein.

“Formal voluntary work in associations makes a significant contribution to social cohesion. The high level of association activity in Liechtenstein is therefore a positive sign of the great importance of civic engagement in the Principality,” says Prof. Dr. Marc Gottschald, Director of the Center for Philanthropy at the Liechtenstein Business Law School.

According to the study, 72 per cent of the associations pursue charitable purposes. This high proportion also demonstrates, says Gottschald, the great importance of voluntary work for the benefit of civil society.

As only around four out of ten associations are entered in the commercial register, the researchers led by study director Michael Nenning had to consult several additional sources in order to obtain a complete picture of the association landscape in the Principality. This is now available for the first time, with the reporting date of 31 December 2023.