This paper is an attempt to study the relationship between leisure time and social capital. Attention is paid to the theoretical and conceptual aspects of the two constructs in the literature of the field. An attempt was made to study the association between leisure time and social capital within the framework of extrication between the individual and collective leisure times, as well as intergroup and intra-group social capital. Through a secondary analysis of national surveys data about the Iranian youth, the linkage between leisure time and social capital is statistically analysed.
Overall, the findings of the study show that the youth who spend most of their leisure time in collective leisure activities compared to the youth who spend their time in personal activities enjoy more social capital. Society in extending public spaces prepares the chance for the formation and promotion of collective leisure-time activities as contrasted with private and personal leisure- time activities. In cases where they meet the necessary conditions and capabilities, through attending these spaces, youth can reproduce and strengthen the constructive indices and components of social capital.