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What Germans do in their free time

September 13th 2018

By DW

There's always time for TV

In surveys over the past three decades, watching TV has been Germans' unchallenged most popular pastime. Consumption has continuously increased since West Germany allowed private TV channels to go on air in 1984. This year, 97 percent of those polled by a Hamburg institute said they watch the tube at least once a week - and that it is their favorite leisure activity.

Turn on the radio

Listening to the radio is also still one of Germans' favorite free-time activities. Although it still might be done as actively as in the retro picture above, many Germans enjoy listening to their favorite stations while driving, doing household chores or simply relaxing. Ninety percent of those polled said it was a leisure activity for them.

Surfing and chatting to relax

Making phone calls and using the internet seem to be relaxing for many Germans as well. Eighty-nine percent named the former and 73 percent the latter as their favorite pastime. The internet has overtaken reading newspapers and magazines for the first time since the survey began.

Staying informed

Reading newspapers and magazines might have lost its position to the internet and experienced an overall decline of seven percent, but it is still a classic leisure activity for many Germans. Overall 72 percent said it was one of their favorite activities when they have some free time.

Music anytime and everywhere

Like listening to the radio, listening to music is something that can be done passively. Music streaming services and free internet radio stations that can be received anywhere via smartphone mean that listening is on the rise. It's not among the top 10 leisure activities, but is increasing each year. Roughly half of those polled said they enjoyed music on their mobile phone.

No time for sex

Over the past five years, Germans have started spending more time grooming themselves - and their garden. But both activites aren't as important to Germans as spending time with their partners or sleeping in on free days. However, less than a third mentioned sex as a favorite pastime. Perhaps they are too busy watching TV.

Less social interaction

In comparison to past years, the Germans are however spending less time meeting with friends. Instead they are interacting with them via social media. Many Germans are also spending less time playing with children - which could be explained by the lower birth rates in the past years.