We also gain knowledge about how time spent on outdoor activities has evolved compared to other activities we do during a day. Since the 1970s, the population has, on average, spent just over half an hour on outdoor activities. We find an increase in leisure time in general from 1971 to 2000, especially from 1971 to 1980, but then a slight decrease in leisure time from 2000 to 2022. Nevertheless, we find a slight increase in the population's time spent on outdoor activities from 2010 to 2022. The overall picture is that outdoor life – when participation is measured in time – is at least as strong now as it was before.
Walking is the most widespread outdoor activity among the population. We spend the most time on outdoor activities during weekends. Most outdoor activities are done in the afternoons between 5 and 8 PM on weekdays, while on weekends, they usually take place in the mornings. Throughout the year, we spend the most time on outdoor activities during holidays, with a clear peak in July.
There are almost no gender differences in time spent on outdoor activities, while our data shows that the oldest age group (66–79 years) spends the most time on outdoor activities. Many in this age group have retired, and there is more time available for both outdoor and other leisure activities. When looking at the development of leisure time in general, we find that women have consistently had slightly less leisure time than men, but the differences were greater in 1971 than they are today. The youngest and oldest in the population have the most leisure time on an average day, but it is also among 9-15 year-olds, 16-24 year-olds, and 67-74 year-olds that leisure time has decreased the most.
Children and young people spend just over 7 hours on leisure activities in 2022. There have been changes in children's and young people's leisure time, including a decrease in time spent watching TV, playing, and socializing, while time spent on gaming and social media has increased in line with the availability and common use of game consoles and mobile phones. However, time spent on sports and outdoor activities has also increased over the 20 years we have measured children's and young people's time use (9-15 year-olds), and they spend just under 1 hour on this on an average day. We see that the youngest children are the ones who participate the most in organized leisure activities. Boys spend slightly more time on outdoor activities than girls.