Leisure Monitor 2016

The BAT Foundation for Future Issues is presenting its "Leisure Monitor 2016" today, August 25th, in Berlin. For this representative study on the leisure activities of German citizens, which has been conducted regularly for more than 30 years, over 3,000 people aged 14 and over were interviewed face-to-face about their leisure activities.
Core results:

• The top 3 leisure activities remain unchanged: watching television, listening to the radio, and talking on the telephone.
• Leisure time in a 5-year comparison: Media and sports are booming – time for social interaction is decreasing.
• Special topic: Smartphone use: Making calls, sending messages, taking photos

The range of leisure activities in Germany is constantly growing. Whether sporty or media-related, outdoors or indoors, alone or with others, expensive or free – the leisure industry has something to offer everyone. Yet despite all the possibilities, television remains by far the most popular leisure activity for German citizens. 97 percent of the population report watching television regularly – at least once a week.  

„"Television has captivated its viewers for almost half a century. While it's less common to watch it together as a family in everyday life, certain formats are increasingly being staged in one's own living room: whether it's a super show, a favorite series, or a sporting event – people gather with friends around the 'campfire' in the living room. What counts is the shared excitement, the exchange of ideas, and the conviviality."‚, according to Professor Ulrich Reinhardt, the Scientific Director of the Foundation for Future Issues.

Looking more closely at the most common leisure activities, three main groups can be distinguished:

1. Media use. Six of the ten most frequent leisure activities are media-related. Both traditional media formats such as watching television, listening to the radio, talking on the phone, or reading newspapers, as well as newer ones like the internet and smartphones, dominate the leisure time of German citizens. For the younger generation in particular, the latter are not just a pastime, but also a means to an end, used to coordinate activities, maintain social contacts, or simply unwind.
2. Regeneration. For centuries, the primary purpose of leisure time was to provide rest and relaxation from work. Even today, many Germans want to sleep in, relax, or simply let their thoughts wander during their free time. These passive activities therefore remain important elements of leisure time, for which many Germans even wish for more free time.
3. The contacts. Maintaining one's social contacts is the third pillar of leisure time. Spending time with a partner, family, and friends, talking about important matters, being active in a club, and much more provides variety and stimulation, relief and stress reduction, and thus increases individual well-being.

In 1996, less than two percent of German citizens had a private internet connection. By 2011, almost half of all Germans were online. Currently, more than three-quarters regularly surf the web. In a five-year comparison, the internet is thus the clear winner – and the boom will likely only end with (near) universal coverage. A year-on-year comparison with 2011 also shows how significantly other media-based leisure activities – from listening to music to using mobile phones and computers – have increased. Physical activity is also becoming significantly more common. Whether alone or in a group, at the gym or outdoors: many people want to do something good for themselves and their bodies.

Germans are investing less and less time in their relatives and acquaintances. Time spent with friends alone has decreased by a third in the last five years. But less and less time is also being devoted to family and intimacy with one's partner. Furthermore, compared to 2011, less reading is being done, whether in books, newspapers, or magazines.

Ulrich Reinhardt: „Many citizens would like to spend more time relaxing on the sofa, reading, meeting up with friends, or having more time for their families. However, they are increasingly driven by pressure in their own leisure time, wanting to experience everything and miss out on nothing. In the future, the question must therefore be asked whether leisure time should only be free time for activities or also free time from something.“

Over two-thirds of German citizens (68% of the population) report owning a smartphone. Of these, 98% use their smartphone for its original purpose – making calls on the go. Almost as frequently, citizens also use their smartphones for sending messages (97% of the population) or taking photos (95% of the population). 85% of all respondents use the device's various integrated functions, such as the alarm clock, clock, flashlight, or calendar. 

With the increasing availability of public Wi-Fi access and affordable tariffs, mobile internet usage is also rising, so that now over three-quarters surf the web on mobile devices, almost two-thirds are active on social networks, and more than half watch videos while on the go.  

Regarding smartphone usage, there are significant differences between various population groups. While the younger generation is very smartphone-savvy and regularly and frequently uses its numerous features, the middle generation is content with the device's core functions such as making calls, sending messages, and taking photos. For most members of the older generation, a smartphone is and remains little more than a mobile phone. 

Professor Reinhardt: „"Every new smartphone that comes onto the market offers more features. The younger generation in particular uses these features to make their everyday lives easier in many ways. However, despite the quantitative use of these device functions, the qualitative aspect must also be considered. For many smartphone owners, most functions are primarily used to fill waiting time and prevent boredom – according to the motto: If I have nothing better to do, I'll occupy myself with my smartphone."“

On our themed website www.freizeitmonitor.de You now have the option to download the study as a PDF free of charge.

Technical data of the investigation

Number and representation: Germany, approx. 3,000 people aged 14 and over
Survey period: May/June 2016
Survey institute: Society for Consumer Research (GfK)