Older people

In 2003, there were 3.4 million people in Australia aged 60 years and over. Of the 3.2 million living in households, 61 per cent had attended a cultural event or venue.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2003 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, the most popular cultural venue or event was the cinema, with 34 per cent of the aged population attending.

Attendance at cultural venues or events by people aged 60 years and over(a)(b)

Cultural venue or event	Percentage of people aged 60 years and over attending (%)
Cinema	34
Library	32
Theatre or concert	28
Animal or marine park or botanic garden	24
Museum or art gallery	21

(a) In the 12 months prior to interview.

(b) Includes people living in non-private dwellings other than cared accommodation.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2003 (cat. no. 4430.0).

One-quarter of people aged 60 years and over participated in sport or physical recreation, while 22 per cent attended sporting events as spectators. About 30 per cent of older people did not participate in any of these cultural or sporting activities.

The proportion of people aged 60 years and over attending a cultural venue or event did not change significantly between 1998 and 2003. The largest change was for attendance at the theatre or concert. In 1998, 24 per cent of older people reported attending compared to 28 per cent in 2003. Visits to museums and art galleries also increased, from 18 per cent of older people in 1998 to 21 per cent in 2003.