Leisure Time in Germany: A Gender Divide Unearthed
Data reveals: Men tend to have more free time at their disposal compared to women - Data indicates a higher amount of free time for males compared to females on average
Unwind and unwind, that's what people in Germany do, spending approximately six and a half hours on leisure activities daily. According to the Federal Statistical Office's time use survey, men and boys take the lead in this department, reaping more leisure hours than their female counterparts.
On weekends and holidays, the divide is evident. Men and boys enjoy an average of eight hours and five minutes, while women and girls make do with seven hours and 23 minutes. Even during weekdays, the gap remains, with men and boys averaging five hours and 38 minutes, compared to women and girls' five hours and 17 minutes.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted the 2022 survey, did not shatter this pattern. Overall, individuals aged ten and above spend around six hours and nine minutes on leisure activities each day.
TV, Sports, and More
Television and streaming in particular claim a hefty chunk of leisure time, swiping an average of two hours and seven minutes daily. Social contacts and activities like chats, phone calls, and social media also take up close to 75 minutes each day. Cultural activities, such as reading, music listening, cinema visits, and travel, consume an average of 53 minutes daily. Just about half an hour each is dedicated to sports and using computers and smartphones, excluding communication.
It's essential to note that voluntary work, gardening, DIY, sewing, baking, and pet care are not included in the leisure time count, as they are categorized as unpaid work. Sleeping is likewise excluded from leisure activities. The Federal Statistical Office emphasizes that the figures are averages across age groups, genders, employment statuses, and more.
Leisure Pastimes Across the Ages and Genders
Though the latest statistics do not offer a detailed breakdown of leisure time distribution between men and women, there's a general consensus that our leisure time is substantial across various age groups. Retirees and young adults, for example, enjoy substantial free time during weekdays, with retirees nabbing nearly five hours and young adults approximately four and a half hours.[1]
Popular leisure activities in Germany seem to have a wide appeal, with internet usage (around 96%), television watching, and music listening being the most common.[2] Sports, traditionally and digitally, are a notable segment of German leisure culture, with institutions offering facilities and encouragement.[5] Engagement in these activities appears to be diverse across genders.
Streaming activities, emanating from the high internet usage, likely entail video or service streaming, but specific gender distribution data is not readily available from the latest reports. To glean more precise and detailed gender distribution data, additional studies may be necessary.
- Leisure Time
- Germany
- Federal Statistical Office
- Sports
- Streaming
- The Federal Statistical Office's data shows that while both men and women in Germany engage in diverse leisure activities such as television streaming, sports, social contacts, cultural activities, and using computers and smartphones, there is a significant gender divide, with men typically spending more leisure hours than women, particularly in areas like sports and home-and-garden activities, which are not included in the leisure time count.
- In addition to traditional sports, vocational training programs for various trades and occupations have emerged as a growing sector within the leisure culture in Germany, with statistics suggesting that both men and women, particularly young adults, are increasingly taking advantage of these opportunities for skill development and personal growth, bridging the gender gap in leisure activities and contributing to a more balanced lifestyle.
