In 2016, among the Member States of the European Union, Denmark recorded by far the highest share of people who had participated in training courses related to their hobbies (41%). Denmark was well ahead of Finland (20%), Germany and the Netherlands (both 18%) as well as Sweden (17%).
At the opposite end of the scale, the lowest rates of hobby-related training were registered in Hungary and Romania (both 2%), followed by Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Portugal (all 5%).
Training related to hobbies includes non-formal learning activities, which improve knowledge, skills, competences and qualifications for personal or social reasons.
At EU level, 11% of people participated in training courses related to their hobbies.
The source dataset is available here.
Overall in the EU, women participated in hobby-related training more than men (12% women compared with 10% men). The largest differences between the sexes were seen in Finland (25% women compared with 15% men) and Germany (22% women compared with 15% men).
At EU level, participation rates in training related to hobbies tended to increase along with the educational attainment level of the participants. The share was higher for people with a tertiary education level (18%) than for those with upper secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education (11%). Six percent of those with an education level of lower secondary, primary or less took hobby-related training courses.
From an age-group perspective, 22% of those aged 16-18 took hobby-related training. Interest declined incrementally with age, with 16% of those aged 19-24 following training courses, 14% of those aged 25-34 and 11% of those aged 35-64. Eight percent of people aged 65 years or over participated in this form of training.
For more information
Eurostat website section on income, social inclusion and living conditions
Eurostat database on income and living conditions
Eurostat news release on access to services
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