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News 17.6.2014

Middle-aged people spend most money on culture and recreation

Households spent, on average, EUR 3,636 on culture and recreation in 2012. Most money on culture and recreation was used by households where the reference person, or the household member earning most, was aged between 45 and 54. These households spent EUR 5,247 on culture and recreation in 2012.

The amount of money spent on culture and recreation has increased by 40 per cent from 1990 to 2012. In 1990, close on EUR 2,600 (converted to 2012 prices) was spent per household and now around EUR one thousand more. In particular, money used on audio-visual equipment and computers has increased. In 1990, less than EUR 90 per household was spent on them, now the sum is EUR 530 per year.

Pay television channels favoured by younger people

In 2012, around EUR 311 per household was spent on television licences, viewing fees, video rentals and the like. A majority of the consumption came from television licences, on which an average of EUR 230 was spent. Viewing fees for pay television channels averaged EUR 74 per household per year. Households where the reference person was aged between 35 and 44 spent most on pay television channels. These households used EUR 111 on pay television channels per year.

Households spent an average of EUR 530 on books, newspapers and magazines in 2012. Over 70 per cent (EUR 377) of this sum was used on newspapers and magazines. The amount of money spent on newspapers and magazines has decreased by almost one-half since 1990, as then, nearly EUR 630 was consumed on newspapers and magazines per household. Households where the reference person was aged between 55 and 64 spent most, on average EUR 678, on books, newspapers and magazines.

In 2012, households in turn spent an average of EUR 224 on games of chance. Over 90 per cent of this amount was used on the pools, lottery, horse racing and so-called Jokeri Lottery. Households where the reference person was aged between 55 and 64 spent most on games of chance. These households used an average of EUR 374 per year on games of chance.

Money spent by households on books, newspapers and magazines by the age of the household's reference person in 2012

Comprehensive review on culture in Finland

The above information can be found in Statistics Finland's new publication Cultural Statistics 2013. The versatile publication contains information on different fields of art, cultural events, education and labour force in culture, cultural finances, and minorities, languages and religions in Finland. International comparison data are also included.

The publication is in Finnish but the table texts are also in English. In addition, the publication contains a summary in Swedish and English.

Cultural Statistics 2013. Statistics Finland. 267 pages, price EUR 59. The publication is available as a PDF publication. The publication can be ordered from the customer service of Edita Publishing Oy, tel. +358 20 450 05 or from Edita's online store.

Inquiries: Kaisa Weckström +358 29 551 2348, Jukka Ekholm +358 29 551 3370, kulttuuri.tilastokeskus@stat.fi

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