Co-development in migrant population surveys: engaging low-responding groups

Abstract Issue Response rates to population surveys have declined in Finland and internationally, particularly among marginalized groups, such as foreign-born people. In the MoniSuomi survey 2022-2023 (National survey on health, well-being and service use among foreign-born population), the response rate decreased from 53% to 44% in four years. Low participation undermines the reliability of public health research, making improved response rates critically important. Description of the problem This project analyses the MoniSuomi survey data to identify population groups with lowest response rates. Qualitative methods, including six interviews with multilingual research assistants (2023) and four co-development workshops (2025), provide insights into effective engagement. The project aims to identify underrepresented groups and develop strategies through co-development and targeted communication to increase participation and enhance research appeal. Results Preliminary results show low response rates among those who migrated young (28% if under 15 at migration; 39% if aged 15-24), and among those with longer residence (51% <5 years; 44% 5-10 years; 41% >10 years). Non-response was linked to low education and origin from Middle East or African countries. Effective strategies include native language communication and targeted outreach. Shorter questionnaires and rewards also increase participation, highlighting the importance of tailored engagement strategies. Lessons Involving the target group through co-development improves survey engagement and data quality. Findings are relevant to other countries facing similar challenges with low participation. Co-development offers innovative solutions for increasing response rates among marginalized groups. Key messages • Identifying marginalized groups enables targeted actions to increase participation motivation. • Co-development effectively engages low-responding groups, improving survey data quality.