Leisure activities

Data on leisure activities are based on the Integrated System of Social Surveys (POLS) and income data from tax authorities. POLS 2004 has been linked to income data over 2004. POLS 2006 was linked to income data over 2005.

POLS is a sample survey conducted among the population of all ages (excluding persons living in homes for the elderly and nursing homes). If a person is under the age of 12, the parents are interviewed instead. Older children can be interviewed directly, provided the parents consent. The following questions are asked:

• Do you or your child (aged 4 years or older) participate at least once a week in club activities?
• How many hours do you or your child (aged 4 years or older) spend on physical exercise?
• Did you or your child (aged 4 years or older) visit a museum at least once in the past 12 months?
• How often did you/your child go on holiday in the past 12 months? A holiday is defined as a stay outside one’s own home for recreation including at least 4 successive overnight stays.

For the survey analysis, only data of persons under the age of 18 were used.