Riga, April 10 (LETA) - Culture consumption increased last year, but the pre-pandemic indicators have not yet been reached, according to the results of the study Culture Activity Barometer 2024 commissioned by the Culture Ministry.

According to the ministry, since 2022, when the previous study was conducted, the culture consumption rate has increased by 11 percent, reaching 77 percent last year among the Latvian population aged 15-75.

The results show that people's engagement in online activities has been declining over the last four years. The study suggests that this may be linked to a post-pandemic shift in habits, with people moving away from online activities and back to face-to-face events and activities.

Last year's figures for many activities were around 2018 levels. For example, 39 percent of people listened to music online last year, compared to 54 percent in 2020-2022 and 32 percent in 2018.

By contrast, 19 percent of respondents watched Latvian films online in 2024, compared to 45 percent to 48 percent between 2020 and 2022, and 16 percent in 2018.

Last year, 10 percent of the population read e-books, compared to 17 percent to 19 percent in the 2020-2022 period and 7 percent in 2018.

These results suggest that the demand for digital products created by the pandemic is not sustained over the long term.

The study also found that culture consumption in Latvia is characterized by the use of local culture offer, there is a demand for more affordable events and activities, and a strong demand for entertainment as well as educational content.

The most popular cultural activities in Latvia last year were local, city or regional festivals, which were attended by 50 percent of the population. Popular music concerts were attended by 34 percent of the population. This is followed by visits to cultural and historical sites, which were attended by 33 percent of the population. Reading printed books was preferred by 33 percent, while 32 percent preferred to attend cultural events in the local cultural center.

At the same time, the survey shows that around one in four people have visited cinemas, museums and theatres, while one in five have visited amusement or theme parks and libraries. Attendance at other activities does not exceed one fifth of the population.

In parallel, mobility to cultural events and activities increased last year. The survey confirms that in recent years people have become more active in attending cultural events outside their place of residence.

A total of 72 percent of the population have attended events in their town or municipality, an increase of 11 percent since 2022.

There has also been a slight increase in the proportion of people who have attended events in Lithuania or Estonia, as well as in other countries. In both cases, the figure is 8 percent.

The study also shows that half of the population has been personally involved in an activity in the last year. Of these, 8 percent were involved in amateur arts and 18 percent in other cultural activities. Another 44 percent have participated in some kind of social, civic, continuing education or sporting activity.

Comparatively more, or 6 percent, are involved in crafts, as well as in multimedia (photography, video) activities - 6 percent.

As many as 4 percent of people sing in a choir, and the same number of people do creative work with computers or visual arts.

The ability of cultural and artistic experiences to strengthen the sense of belonging is confirmed by 54.6 percent of Latvians.

As regards the role of cultural consumption and participation in social integration, 73 percent of the population believe that cultural and artistic events have a great power to bring society together.

At the same time, the majority of the public, or 77 percent, agrees that the success achieved by Latvian artists outside Latvia increases pride in the country.

The survey Cultural Activities Barometer 2024 was conducted by the Latvian Academy of Culture in cooperation with the research center SKDS on behalf of the Latvian Ministry of Culture.