Percentage of adults participating in four free-time activities in 1990 and 2010

The table illustrates the participation rates of adults in four distinct leisure activities across urban and rural settings in 1990 and 2010. Overall, reading consistently remained the most favoured activity, whereas participation in animated play and playing showed more varied trends over the two decades.

In 1990, reading was already the most popular pursuit, with 61% of urban adults and 71% of rural adults participating. By 2010, these figures rose to 78% for both groups, marking a significant increase. Conversely, photography experienced a notable upward trend. In urban areas, participation grew from 7% in 1990 to 17% in 2010, while rural participation increased from 14% to 24% over the same period.

In contrast, other activities showed less consistent growth. Animated play remained stagnant for urban adults at 10% between 1990 and 2010, while rural participation declined from 18% to 14%. Similarly, the percentage of urban adults engaged in playing dropped from 21% to 14%. However, rural participation in playing remained stable at 26% throughout the twenty-year timeframe. Overall, while reading and photography saw widespread growth, the popularity of playing and animated play fluctuated depending on the location.