Norwegian Culture Barometer 2016

The Norwegian Cultural Barometer is a publication based on Statistics Norway’s survey about the use of cultural offerings. In the survey, a representative sample of the total population aged 9-79 answers questions about how often they have used different cultural offerings in last 12 months. The survey also quantifies the population’s interest in culture, access to different cultural offerings and respondents own activities in the field of culture. The first survey was conducted in 1991. Subsequent surveys were carried out in 1994, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and most recently in 2016. The 2016 survey had a total of 1 948 respondents, with a response rate of 52.9 per cent.

The results show that for some cultural offerings both the percentage using them and the number of visits have changed since 2012. For other offerings, there has only been a minor change during the reference time period. Fifty per cent visited theatres, musicals or revues in 2016. This is an increase from 45 per cent in 2012. The average number of visits at such ­cultural offerings was 1.3 in 2016, compared to 1.1 in 2012. Women and people with a high level of education and income visit theatres, musicals and revues the most.

I 2016, 44 per cent of the respondents visited a museum, compared to 41 per cent in 2012. Young people and those with a high level of education are the most frequent visitors at ­museums. Thirty-six per cent went to art exhibitions in 2016. Women go to such exhibitions much more often than men, and those with a high level of education as well as city dwellers are also among the most frequent visitors to art exhibitions. Fourteen per cent attended a ­ballet or dance performance in 2016, and 8 per cent went to see an opera or operetta. Sixty-two per cent attended a concert. Respondents in the younger age groups were most likely to attend a concert, and pop and rock music were the most popular.

Seventy-two per cent went to a cinema during the 12-month period before the survey. Young people spend most time at cinemas, but the number of visits is decreasing. Fifty-five per cent visited a sports event and 46 per cent visited a public library, with women and ­children ­being the most active here. Thirty-two per cent had been to a culture festival, mostly at music ­festivals. Thirty-six per cent attended a religious or philosophical community meeting, ­compared to 34 per cent in 2012. Women, children and older people attend such meetings the most often.

The interest for the different cultural offerings has changed little from 2012 to 2016. Concerts are the most popular, with 22 per cent, followed by sports events, with 21 per cent. Ballet and opera received the least interest, with 3 and 2 per cent respectively. As much as 68 per cent have no interest in attending opera performances.

The percentage engaging in cultural activities has not changed much from 2012 to 2016. Thirty-one per cent were members of a sports club in 2016 and 32 per cent can play an instrument. Eight per cent are active in painting or handicrafts, and 12 per cent have taken part in a public singing or music performance in the last two years. Seven per cent are active in choirs, orchestras or similar activities.