Approximately one-third of screen-facing hours
Wiesbaden (dpa) - Here's a lowdown on how Germans typically spend their downtime:
On average, Germans clock in around six and a half hours on leisure activities, with just over a third - about two hours and seven minutes - going towards television and streaming, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office. The Time Use Survey, conducted every ten years with the latest one in 2022 still feeling the COVID-19 pandemic's impact, polled those aged ten and above.
Around an hour and 15 minutes each day were spent on social connections and socializing, covering conversations, phone calls, social media, visiting friends, private meetings, or café visits. The daily average for cultural activities like reading, music, cinema visits, or outings was approximately 53 minutes. Nearly half an hour was dedicated to sports and smartphone/computer use (excluding communication).
So, what doesn't count as leisure time?
Activities such as volunteer work, gardening, DIY projects, sewing, baking, or pet care aren't considered leisure activities in the survey. They're classified as unpaid work. As for snoozing, it doesn't make the leisure cut either.
On weekends and holidays, people typically dedicate about seven hours and 45 minutes to leisure activities, contrasting with weekdays' five hours and 26 minutes. The Federal Office adds a disclaimer, stating that these figures are averages across different age groups, genders, and employment status.
Special mentions:
Unpaid work, encompassing activites like gardening and pet care, often falls under household maintenance or family care. Sleeping is a no-go for leisure, while activities like volunteering, depending on the survey's categorization, might be included under social or leisure activities.
In the typical German lifestyle, a noticeable portion of free time is allocated to entertainment, with somewhat over two hours daily spent on television and streaming shows. Additionally, technology plays a significant role in filling leisure hours, with nearly half an hour dedicated to smartphone or computer use, excluding communication.
