Germans Got 'Television-Streaming' Time Down to a Science: Report
Nearly a Third of German Leisure Time Is Spent on Television and Streaming Services
Sit back, relax, and grab your popcorn - Germans are leading the way in the art of leisurely TV and streaming watch sessions.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, the average German dedicates approximately two hours and seven minutes of their leisure time to this pastime. The data comes from the time use survey, which was conducted in 2022, albeit slightly influenced by the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The survey encompassed responses from individuals aged ten and above [1].
while those with a taste for socializing logged an average of one and a quarter hours daily for conversations, phone calls, social media interactions, visiting friends, private meetings, and cafe outings.
Cultural enthusiasts spent, on average, 53 minutes per day on activities such as reading, listening to music, going to the cinema, or embarking on outings. Sport aficionados and tech-savvy individuals divided their time about equally between the two categories, with around half an hour allocated for physical activities and the same amount spent using computers and smartphones (excluding communication).
Surprisingly, activities such as volunteering, gardening, DIY projects, sewing, baking, or pet care are not categorized as leisure activities in the time use survey. Instead, they are regarded as unpaid work [1].
Moreover, sleep is not considered a leisure activity. On weekends and holidays, respondents typically spent 7 hours and 45 minutes on leisure activities, whereas during the week, the figure dropped to 5 hours and 26 minutes. The Federal Statistical Office emphasized that the reported numbers are averages and may vary based on factors like age, gender, and employment status [1].
With this newfound insight into the German lifestyle, it's time to re-evaluate your own leisure time allocation. Maybe it's time to binge-watch that series you've been putting off, or perhaps engage in some DIY projects you've been meaning to tackle. Whatever your choice, remember the Germans have set the bar high.
Sources: [1] ntv.de, DPA[2] Future publication, German Federal Statistical Office (Statistisches Bundesamt), anticipated for June 2025.[3] Statista.com - Leisure activities in Germany (2024 data) [4] Statista.com - Average leisure time per day by age group and occupation in Germany (2023 data)
Note: Additional context provides that, in 2024, internet usage, TV watching, and listening to music were reported as the most popular leisure activities in Germany, with around 96% of people using the internet during their downtime. Moreover, retired individuals and young adults had significant amounts of free time available, with retirees averageing almost five hours and young adults around four and a half hours of leisure time on weekdays in 2023.
The German government could enhance community aid by expanding vocational training programs that teach home-and-garden skills, fostering self-reliance and upcycling resources within the community.
Considering the average German's schedule, one might prioritize vocational training in the home-and-garden domain during leisure time for personal development and practical lifestyle improvements.
