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Published 28 July 2022
© Crown copyright 2022
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/participation-survey-2021-22-annual-report/main-report-for-the-participation-survey-october-2021-to-march-2022
Released: 28th July 2022
Geographic Coverage: England
This release provides estimates on participation in the digital, culture, media, and sport sectors reported during the period of October 2021 to March 2022. The Participation Survey is a nationally representative annual survey of adults (16+) in England that aims to track the latest trends in engagement in DCMS sectors. The format of the survey is push-to-web, with a paper version for those who are not able or wish not to complete this online.
This report presents the headline estimates during October 2021 to March 2022. Further estimates can be found in the accompanying data tables. Differences between groups are only reported on in this publication where they are statistically significant, that is, where we can be more confident that the differences seen in our sampled respondents reflect the population [footnote 1]. Estimates for the quarter January to March 2022 have also been published in a separate set of data tables.
It should be noted that some questions in the survey ask about engagement with cultural and digital activities in the last 12 months (such that it covered the period October 2020 to March 2022). We imagine that the COVID-19 pandemic, associated lockdown measures and media coverage may have affected public behaviours, attitudes, and perceptions across the UK towards the topics in the survey. So, the factors described above should be taken into consideration when interpreting the results.
Examples of physical arts engagement include writing stories, performing music, or going to a comedy event. Examples of digital arts engagement include watching live-streamed or recorded theatre, participating in live visual arts programs, or listening to pre-recorded music or dance events. The full list of qualifying activities and events are in Annex C, and shown in figures 2.2 and 2.3.
During October 2021 to March 2022, over 4 in 5 adults had physically engaged with the arts (attended or participated) in the previous 12 months to being interviewed. The corresponding figure for digital arts engagement was 27%.
Figure 2.1 shows that of the 88% of people who engaged with the arts, 61% did it exclusively physically, 26% engaged both physically and digitally, and only 1% of adults did it exclusively digitally.
Of the people who engaged with the arts physically, 73% of adults engaged at least once a week, and nearly half (48%) had engaged three or more times.
Whilst digital engagement with the arts (27%) was much lower than physical engagement, it was also less frequent, with just 11% engaging at least once a week.
Figure 2.2 shows that the most popular way to engage with the arts physically was reading books or magazines at 63%. This was followed by going to the cinema (38%) and playing video games (36%).
Figure 2.3 shows that for digital engagement, listening to pre-recorded music or dance events was the most popular activity (15%).
Figure 2.4 shows that:
Figure 2.5 shows that:
There were no significant regional or county differences in either physical or digital engagement with the arts. Figure 2.6 shows:
Respondents who did not engage with the arts were asked why they did not. The most common reasons given are shown in Figure 2.7 and were:
Physical library engagement includes borrowing books, music, and films from the library, as well as using the library space to study, or using the library café as a meeting point. Digital engagement with libraries could include using their online catalogue, paying fees online, or borrowing e-books and downloading audiobooks. The full list of qualifying activities is in Annex C and shown in figures 3.2 and 3.3.
During October 2021 to March 2022, 20% of adults engaged with the library sector. This included 15% of adults who visited a public library building or mobile library in person at least once, and 12% who engaged with library services online. There were also a further 2% of adults who reported that they “used library services in some other way”. We are unable to identify if these engagements are physical or digital and therefore this chapter focuses on those 18% of adults who reported specifically engaging with libraries physically or digitally.
Figure 3.1 shows that of those who engaged with libraries digitally, 45% engaged at least once a month or more, whilst those who engaged physically did so less frequently, with only 35% engaging at the same frequency.
Figure 3.2 shows that the most common reasons for physical engagement was browsing, borrowing, and returning reading and media materials (72% of those who engaged with libraries physically) and use of free Wi-Fi, computer, or printing facilities (23%).
Figure 3.3 shows that the most common reason for digital engagement with the library sector was reserving, renewing, or paying a fine online (51% of those who engaged digitally). Borrowing digital or online resources was as popular as searching online library catalogues or dictionaries or making enquiries, at approximately 43%.
Figure 3.4 shows that:
Figure 3.5 shows that:
There were no significant regional or county differences in either physical or digital engagement with libraries. However, Figure 3.6 shows:
Respondents who did not engage with the library sector were asked why they did not. The most common reasons given are shown in Figure 3.7 and were:
Physical engagement with the heritage sector is defined as visiting a variety of places with celebrated histories, such as those connected with industrial history, or ancient monuments, or archaeological sites. Digital engagement includes taking a virtual tour of any of those physical locations listed above, plus viewing documents from an archive in England online, or listening to podcasts from museums in England. The full list of qualifying activities is in Annex C and shown in figures 4.3 and 4.4.
During October 2021 to March 2022, over 3 in 5 adults (63%) had physically engaged with heritage sites in the previous 12 months to being interviewed. The corresponding figure for digital engagement was 20%.
Figure 4.1 shows that of the 65% of people who engaged with the heritage sector, 46% did it exclusively physically, 17% engaged both physically and digitally, and only 2% of adults did it exclusively digitally.
Figure 4.2 shows that most adults who had engaged did so at least three to four times a year (35% for physical and 34% for digital). Whilst digital engagement with the heritage sector (20%) was much lower than physical engagement (63%), it was also less frequent, with just 7% engaging digitally at least once a week compared to 12% for physical engagement at least once a week.
Figure 4.3 shows that the most popular heritage activities were visiting:
The top cited reason for engaging with heritage physically was to spend time with family or friends (67%), followed by general interest in the subject (52%). A further 38% of adults reported that they engaged with heritage sites because they were in the area.
Figure 4.4 shows that the digital heritage activity that was most engaging was something not in the list given (80%). From the list given, researching local history online was the most popular (11%).
Accessing free digital content (74%) was more common than any other paid digital engagement (the highest “pay a monthly or annual subscription” was 12%).
Figure 4.5 shows that:
Figure 4.6 shows that:
There were no differences in physical and digital heritage engagement within regions and counties in England. However, figure 4.7 shows:
Respondents who did not engage with the heritage sector were asked why they did not. The most common reasons given are shown in figure 4.8 and were:
Respondents were asked about their visits to museums and galleries in the 12 months prior to being interviewed. Respondents were asked if they “engaged with text, image, audio, video, or animation, games, or podcast content from museums in England”, and those responses are included in the definition for digital heritage engagement. Therefore, only physical visits to museums and galleries are included in this chapter.
24% of adults in England visited museums and galleries in person (physically).
Figure 5.1 shows that during October 2021 to March 2022, over 90% of people visited museums and galleries less than 3 to 4 times a year, with the most common frequency being once a year (37%).
Over two in five (44%) people spent between one and two hours during their physical visits, with a third of adults spending between two and four hours (35%).
The top reasons for physically engaging with museums and galleries were:
Figure 5.2 shows that:
Figure 5.3 shows that:
Figure 5.4 shows that adults living in the East and West Inner London regions visited museums and galleries more than adults from any other county region in England.
Figure 5.5 shows that:
Respondents who did not visit museum and galleries were asked why they did not. The most common reasons given are shown in figure 5.6. They were “Due to Covid-19 restrictions or concerns” (35%), followed by “I’m not interested” (25%), and “No reasons in particular” (24%).
Adults in England were asked about any domestic holidays (that is, holidays in England) they took in the last 12 months.
During October 2021 to March 2022, over half (55%) of adults took a holiday in England in the previous 12 months to being interviewed. Of these,
Figure 6.2 shows that nearly a third (32%) of adults who took a holiday in England stayed at a traditional coastal or seaside town; whilst over a quarter (26%) stayed in the countryside or village and over a fifth (23%) stayed in a city or large town.
Of those who took a holiday in England, 42% said they visited museums, galleries, heritage or cultural sites or events while they were away.
Figure 6.3 shows that:
Figure 6.4 shows that:
There were no statistically significant differences in regions and counties in England in terms of engagement with domestic tourism. Figure 6.5 shows that:
Respondents were asked about their internet usage and smart devices.
Of the adults who personally owned digital devices, over half (52%) did not use these personally owned digital devices for work purposes. A third of adults used their personal smartphone for work (33%), whilst 29% used their laptop computer, and 8% used their desktop computer.
Figure 7.2 shows that:
Figure 7.3 shows that:
There were no statistically significant differences in regions and counties in England in terms of using the internet. Figure 7.4 shows that:
5G (Fifth generation) is the next step in mobile technology that enables faster mobile data speeds. The questionnaire asked a series of questions about the respondents’ awareness and likelihood to use 5G in the near future.
Between October 2021 and March 2022, most people said they were aware of 5G (94%). When asked “how much do you know about 5G mobile technology” 38% reported that they understood what it is and were interested in getting it in the near future while 34% were not. Only 6% had not heard of it.
Respondents were asked whether they agreed with the statements shown in figure 8.1 and to pick all the statements that apply. Over 45% of people were happy with their current mobile internet speeds, and a similar proportion would get 5G if it were free. Only 6% of adults reported they would never get 5G regardless of what it cost.
Respondents were asked how much extra would you pay per month for your mobile subscription or data plan for a 5G data plan:
Adults from the intermediate occupations class (27%) were more likely to report that they had heard of 5G but not sure what it is, than adults from the small employers and own account workers (22%), lower supervisory and technical occupations (19%), and higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations (19%) classes.
Adults from the intermediate occupations (37%), small employers and own account workers (38%), and from lower supervisory and technical occupations (38%) classes were most likely to report that they understood what 5G was but were not interested in getting it in the near future than adults from other classifications.
Of the adults who understood what 5G is and were interested in getting it in the near future, those in the higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations class (43%) were more likely to report this than all other socio-economic classifications.
Ethnicity: Adults who identified as from a Bangladeshi background (12%) were more likely to have not heard of 5G than those who identified as being from a White-English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish, or British ethnic background (6%) or adults who identified as from Any other White background (5%).
Respondents were asked whether they had taken part in any digital or online skills training in the last 12 months, prior to being asked between October 2021 and March 2022. Training might include how to communicate using electronic means, how to carry out basic internet searches, and how to stay safe online.
53% of adults in England thought it was important to continue digital or online skills training in their current career or job, and 53% thought developing digital or online skills was important to helping them further career or job prospects.
Figure 9.1 shows that:
Figure 9.2 shows that:
Figure 9.3 shows
Figure 9.4 shows that adults from East & North East Outer London (28%), East Inner London (27%), and West Inner London (28%) were more likely to have engaged in digital or online skills training, compared to other regions (approximately 18%).
Figure 9.5 shows,
Respondents were asked questions on the measures they took to stay safe and secure online and while using digital technology, and statements relating to their understanding of the security of personal data.
Adults in England were generally aware of the measures to stay safe and secure online. Figure 10.1 shows that:
Figure 10.2 shows that to stay safe and secure while using technology (which may or may not have internet access), nearly three quarters of adults (73%) said that they created strong passwords, over half (53%) allowed updates when prompted, and nearly half (49%) backed up their information and content frequently. However, while using technology, one in ten adults did none of the things on the list given in Figure 10.2.
Over four in five adults (86%) recognised that viruses can damage their computer and security, and 75% agreed that software should be used to prevent viruses. Only 1% of people did not agree with any of the given statements[5].
Around 40% of adults in England reported “it is important but I don’t have enough information to choose between providers based on their security standards” when choosing a new provider. A further quarter of adults reported “it may be important, but I don’t have enough information about what happens when security standards are not high enough”. One in ten adults reported that choosing between providers based on their security standards didn’t feel very important.
Figure 10.3 shows that whilst over a third (35%) of adults upgraded the security of their own devices in the last 12 months, over half (58%) of adults did none of the things from the list given.
Adults were asked about the methods they had used to verify their own identity online for example, when applying for a passport or applying for a new benefit or new job. They were also asked about their preference between verifying their identity digitally or with hard copy documents for different activities, for example, opening a bank account or travelling.
Figure 11.1 shows that 2 in 5 adults in England had provided personal information (such as passport number or date of birth) to verify their identity online (43%). A further 2 in 5 adults had not verified their own identity online in the last 12 months (41%).
Figure 11.2 shows that in general, adults preferred to use digital tools for identification than using hard/physical copies for things such as:
Adults responded to questions on how they feel about private companies and the UK government using data in a variety of ways for a range of purposes, as well as their feelings towards sharing personal data.
Figure 12.1 shows that the majority of adults in England were comfortable with the UK government using data to make public policies and improve public services[6], whereas the responses towards how private companies use data for any of the uses we asked about were less comfortable.
For the usage of data in general, the majority of adults in England were comfortable with researchers, scientists, and charities using data.
Two thirds of respondents reported they were comfortable (19% very comfortable and 47% fairly comfortable) with data being used to develop services that help people save money, whilst only 35% of adults agreed that they “would share data about my spending habits if it would allow me to gain access to services that could save me money”, and 31% disagreed.
When it came to their personal data being used:
Respondents were asked questions relating to their habits for sharing online content. This includes their reasons for doing so, the rigour with which they check the source and their motivations for doing so.
Figure 13.1 shows that under half of adults (42%) reported that they shared content very or quite often, whilst 17% reported that they never shared content.
Figure 13.2 shows that the most popular reasons for sharing online content were because “it is funny or amusing” (68%) and “it is interesting” (64%).
Just over half of adults (51%) reported that they always consider the source and motivation behind the online content they are sharing whilst 3% reported that they never.
Over half (55%) of adults reported that they always considered the likely impact on other users by them sharing online content, whilst 4% reported that they never considered the likely impact.
Over half of adults (52%) reported that they always examine whether the headline accurately reflects the online content they are sharing, whilst 3% reported that they never.
Respondents were asked for their awareness of the celebratory events for the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II.
Nearly three quarters of respondents (72%) were aware of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Of those respondents, figure 14.1 shows that:
When asked “How strongly do you feel you belong to the United Kingdom?”, over three quarters (77%) of adults replied “very strongly” and “fairly strongly”, whilst 8% of respondents felt not very strongly or not at all strongly.
Figure 14.2 shows that:
Figure 14.3 shows that:
There were no statistically significant differences in regions and counties in England and awareness of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Figure14.4 shows:
UNBOXED: Respondents were asked about their awareness of the “UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK” major event.
For the UNBOXED Event, 4% of respondents had heard of this event. Of those who were aware, figure 15.1 shows that,
Figure 15.2 shows that:
Figure 15.3 shows that:
There were no statistically significant differences in regions and counties in England and awareness of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK. Figure 15.4 shows that:
Respondents were asked about their awareness of the “Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022” major event.
For the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, 40% respondents were aware of this event. Of those respondents, figure 16.1 shows that:
Figure 16.2 shows that:
Figure 16.3 shows that:
Figure 16.4 shows that adults from the counties West Midlands (74%), Herefordshire, Worcestershire & Warwickshire (72%), and Shropshire & Staffordshire (67%) were the most aware of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022.
Figure 16.5 shows:
Respondents were asked about their awareness of the “Coventry City of Culture” major event.
One in five (21%) were aware of Coventry City of Culture. Of those respondents, figure 17.1 shows that:
Figure 17.2 shows that:
Figure 17.3 shows that:
Figure 17.4 shows that adults from Herefordshire, Worcestershire & Warwickshire counties (58%) were significantly more aware of this event than adults from any other county in England. Awareness was also high in the West Midlands (42%) and Shropshire & Staffordshire (39%) counties.
Figure 17.5 shows:
Respondents were asked whether information about attendance at live sports in the last six months (that is, covering the period April 2021 to March 2022). Note that questions related to gambling refers to the last 12 months (that is, covering the period October 2020 to March 2022).
Over one in six adults (18%) attended live sports in person in the last six months. Of those live sports, in order of popularity:
68% of respondents who watched live sports on TV said all of these events were professional sports where the participants were being paid, whereas 7% said most of them were. Only 15% of respondents said none of the events were professional sports where the participants were being paid.
Over half of adults (58%) watched live sports on TV in the last six months. Of the live sports on TV, figure 18.1 shows that the most watched was
22% of adults who attended live sports (of any type) in person in the previous 6 months placed a bet. This compares to 14% of adults who watched live sports on TV who placed a bet while watching.
Figure 18.2 shows that of the adults who attended live sports in person and placed bets,
Whereas, the adults who watched live sports on TV and placed bets,
Figure 18.3 shows that:
Figure 18.4 shows that:
There were no statistically significant differences in regions and counties in England and attendance in live sporting events. Figure 18.5 shows that:
The respondent was asked whether they had participated in a given list of arts activities, or attended a given list of arts events (not including paid work, school or college or structured academic activities). Eligible activities and events were as follows.
The respondent was asked whether they had done any of the following things when they visited a public or mobile library (not including paid work, school or college or structured academic activities).
The respondent was asked whether they had done any of the following things when accessing library services online (not including paid work, school or college or structured academic activities).
The respondent was asked whether they had visited any of the following places in person (not including paid work, school or college or structured academic activities):
The respondent was asked which of these virtual or online activities they had done (not including paid work, school or college or structured academic activities):
The respondent was asked if they had visited a museum or gallery in person in England in the last 12 months. There was not a specific online engagement question for a museum or gallery activity.
The questionnaire has been produced as a result of a series of engagements with key stakeholders and the social survey needs of DCMS sectors. We have worked closely with Kantar Public to devise a clear and effective questionnaire to acquire data for DCMS policy teams. There is some overlap with questions observed in the Taking Part Survey, however we advise not to compare findings from these two different surveys. For more information on the distinction between the Taking Part Survey and the Participation Survey please look in the methodology documents on the website.
The 95% confidence intervals are indicated by error bars on the charts. They show the range that we are 95% confident the true value for the population falls between. When there is no overlap between the error bars for two or more groups, we can be more confident that the differences between groups represent true differences between these groups in the population. ↩
The Index of Multiple Deprivation a geographical measure which classifies the relative deprivation of an area. It combines seven indices to produce one overall measure for the area (rather than the individual). It takes into account income, employment, education, skills and training, health and disability, crime, barriers to housing and services, and living environment. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12
This is a form of socio-economic classification based on the employment status and occupation of the respondent. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12
Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
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