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26-03-2018
French leisure activities: more time for a stable budget at €660
The French are devoting more time to their leisure activities but with a stable budget. Digital devices are increasingly at the heart of their recreation time, with computers and Internet remaining their favourite pastimes. Such are the main findings of the latest Sofinscope barometer by Sofinco (a brand of Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance).
A budget expected to remain stable
On average, the French spend €660 a year on their leisure activities. This budget remains stable compared to 2017. Households earning over €2,000 a month spend twice as much as those on lower incomes (€829 compared to €444). For the year ahead, 66% of the interviewees plan to maintain this budget.
1 h 44 m more leisure time per week
Meanwhile, the time that French people are devoting to their leisure activities has risen significantly. The study revealed that they allocate 11 h 53 m each week to leisure, representing an increase of 1 h 44 m compared to 2017. The French people interviewed feel that this weekly time devoted to leisure is sufficient (72%). This feeling of satisfaction is higher compared to last year (up 5 points).
However, within this change are hidden a few disparities. The working population can only devote 9 h 09 m a week to leisure, compared to 16 h 55 m for retirees. There is also a certain degree of inequality between men and women: 13 h 15 m a week for the former and 10 h 40 m for the latter.
“The main criterion in choosing a leisure activity is enjoyment, followed by cost. To maintain their leisure budget while devoting more time to it, the French are taking advantage more of free activities, paid activities with unlimited access or those with a fixed cost for use,” explains Didier Bourdonnais, Client Marketing and Communication Director at Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance France.
Digital entertainment still at the top
The presence of screens still remains very high in the free time of the French population. Among those interviewed, 68% stated that surfing the web or using their computer is one of their favourite pastimes.
Half of the interviewees also answered spending time with friends or family (49%). Other activities also remain popular, such as cultural leisure activities (46%), music (40%), outdoor recreation (39%), cooking (32%) and sport (31%).
As for music, the study revealed that the under-35s in particular enjoy listening (46% compared to 33% of people aged 50+). Of course, younger generations are accustomed to almost unlimited access to music thanks to streaming and download platforms.
All publications, either in part or in full, must include the following statement: ‘Sofinscope – an Opinion Way barometer for Sofinco’.
Sofinscope is a barometer by Sofinco, a brand of Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance. Seeking to gain a better understanding of the French population’s consumption habits, the survey, embedded in the dayto-day life of the French population, is administered by Opinion Way for Sofinco with representative population samples. This survey was administered to 1,000 people between 10 and 12 January 2018. All the results are available online at: www.sofinscope.fr.
Sofinco is a brand of Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance, a key player in consumer credit in Europe. Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance, Crédit Agricole SA’s consumer credit subsidiary, distributes a broad range of consumer credit and related services (in France, principally through its commercial trademarks Sofinco, Viaxel and Creditlift Courtage) for distribution channels as a whole: direct sales, point-of-sale financing (automotive and home appliances) and partnerships. Present alongside major distribution, specialised distribution and institutional brands in the various countries where it operates, Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance is a key partner in business.
Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance managed €82.6 billion in outstanding loans at 31 December 2017.
Learn more: www.ca-consumerfinance.com and www.sofinco.fr
