Scottish household survey 2019: annual report

12 Culture and Heritage

Main Findings

2019 data shows that nine in ten (90 per cent) adults were culturally engaged, either by attending or visiting a cultural event or place or by participating in a cultural activity. The figure has been maintained since 2018.

Cultural attendance

Around eight in ten adults (81 per cent) in Scotland had attended or visited a cultural event or place of culture in the last 12 months^[18]. The most popular form of cultural attendance was going to the cinema (58 per cent), followed by attendance at live music events (37 per cent).

Attendance at a cultural event or place was higher among women, younger people, those with degrees or professional qualifications, those with no physical or mental health conditions^[19], those living in less deprived areas and those with a higher household income. Lack of time was reported as the main factor limiting or preventing attendance.

Cultural participation

Three quarters (75 per cent) of adults had participated in some form of cultural activity in the last 12 months. The most popular form of cultural participation was reading books for pleasure (62 per cent), followed by viewing performances online (23 per cent).

Participation in cultural activity was higher among women, those with degrees or professional qualifications, those with no physical or mental health conditions, those living in less deprived areas, and those with a higher household income. Differences in participation between age groups were less marked than differences in attendance. Lack of time was reported as the main factor limiting or preventing participation.

Cultural services provided by local authorities

2019 data shows that 42 per cent of adults were very or fairly satisfied with libraries; 40 per cent with museums and galleries; and 42 per cent with theatres or concert halls. Satisfaction rates were higher amongst service users only: around nine in ten adults who had used local authority cultural services were very or fairly satisfied with their provision.

Impact of culture

Just under half of respondents (46 per cent) strongly agreed or tended to agree with the statement that 'culture and the arts make a positive difference to my life'. Of these 46 per cent, over three in four (77 per cent) reported that culture and the arts make them feel happy or are something that they really enjoy, and 44 per cent said that culture and the arts improve their mental health and wellbeing.