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Your Time Outdoors

Your Time Outdoors

Participants living in urban areas visited most frequently urban green spaces (79%), while those living in rural areas mainly visited fields, farmlands or the countryside (71%)

CSO statistical publication, , 11am
Frontier Series Output and COVID-19 Publication Information

This publication is categorised as a CSO Frontier Series Output. Particular care must be taken when interpreting the statistics in this release as it may use new methods which are under development and/or data sources which may be incomplete, for example new administrative data sources. 

The results contained in this release reflect some of the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 situation. For further information see Background Notes

In this Chapter

In this survey, we defined the outdoors and natural spaces in Ireland as 'green' outdoor spaces in cities and towns (e.g. parks and urban green spaces), and in the countryside (e.g. mountains, forests or farmlands). It also included 'blue' outdoor spaces such as lakes, rivers and the open sea. Private and shared outdoor spaces such as gardens, patios, yards, balconies etc. were excluded from this section as they had a dedicated part in the survey. 

This chapter concentrates on the respondents who said they liked to spend time outdoors.

Reasons for spending time outdoors

The first publication released on 30 May 2022 showed that nearly all respondents liked spending time outdoors (98%). The two main reasons reported were to get fresh air (87%) and to enjoy nature (85%). See Table 2.1.a and Table 2.1.b. For further details, refer to the first publication 'Pulse Survey April-May 2022 - Our Lives Outdoors: Snapshot of Results'.

Male respondents were more likely to spend time outdoors to exercise (82%) compared with females (72%). See Table 2.1.c.

The three main reasons for young respondents aged 18 to 34 to spend time outdoors were to get fresh air (94%), to enjoy nature (88%) and to take a break (83%). The top three reasons for spending time outdoors of the age groups over 35 were to get fresh air, to enjoy nature and to exercise. Respondents in the age groups under 44 were more likely to spend time outdoors to take a break (around 80%), while those aged 70 and above were the least likely (28%).

Nearly seven in ten participants aged 18 to 34 said they liked spending time outdoors to socialise (66%), compared with four in ten of those in the age groups 45 and over. See Figure 2.1 and Table 2.1.c.

Outdoor spaceTo get fresh airTo enjoy nature (plants, animals, open spaces etc.)To exerciseTo take a break (e.g. from home, from work, etc.)To socialise (i.e. meet friends for food / drinks in an outdoor setting)Other / Don't know / Prefer not to say
18 to 3494887683666
35 to 4489898079479
45 to 5488858071428
55 to 6980827548416
70 and above777675283911

Spending time outdoors to take a break was a main reason for 79% of students or pupils, 75% of those in employment and 67% of respondents engaged in home duties, while less than 30% of those in retirement mentioned going outdoors to take a break. Socialising was mentioned as a reason by 69% of students or pupils but only by 39% of retired respondents. See Figure 2.2 and Table 2.1.c.

Outdoor spaceTo get fresh airTo enjoy nature (plants, animals, open spaces etc.)To exerciseTo take a break (e.g. from home, from work, etc.)To socialise (i.e. meet friends for food / drinks in an outdoor setting)Other / Don't know / Prefer not to say
Working for payment89878175518
Unemployed898778584510
Retired78747526399
Student or pupil91837279696
Engaged in home duties87897367475
Unable to work due
to longstanding
health problems
82885653355

Participants living in urban areas were more likely to spend time outdoors to socialise (55%) than those living in small towns or villages (44%), or in rural areas (41%). See Table 2.1.d.

Eight in ten participants with children in their household said that they liked to go outdoors to take a break (78%), compared with six in ten respondents with no children in their household (60%). See Table 2.1.d.

Almost eight in ten participants who did not have access to a garden liked to spend time outdoors to take a break (76%), compared with just over six in ten who had access to a garden (64%). See Table 2.1.d.

Table 2.1.a - Do you like spending time outdoors? Summary of Results. April-May 2022

Table 2.1.b - Reasons for spending time outdoors: Summary of Results. April-May 2022

Table 2.1.c - Reasons for spending time outdoors by Sex, Age, Principal Economic Status and NUTS3 Regions. April-May 2022

Table 2.1.d - Reasons for spending time outdoors by Degree of Urbanisation Surrounding Homes, Presence of Children in the Household and Access to a Garden. April-May 2022

Most frequently visited outdoor spaces

The outdoor spaces most frequently visited by respondents who liked spending time outdoors were beaches, other coastlines or the sea (62%), urban green spaces (59%), and rivers, lakes, or canals (47%). See Table 2.2.a. For further details, refer to the first publication 'Pulse Survey April-May 2022 - Our Lives Outdoors: Snapshot of Results'.

Participants in the age groups under 44 most frequently visited urban green spaces at about 70%, while beaches, other coastlines, or the sea were the most frequently visited outdoor spaces for 65% of respondents aged 45 to 54 and about 60% of those aged 55 and above.

Participants in the age groups between 35 to 54 were also the most likely to visit grounds of a historic property or country park at about 40%, compared with 31% of young respondents aged 18 to 34 and 32% of those aged 55 and above. See Figure 2.3 and Table 2.2.b.

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ReasonsBeach / other coastline / seaUrban green space (e.g. a park, field or playground)River, lake or canalField / farmland / countrysideGrounds of a historic property or country park
18 to 346070523331
35 to 446466483744
45 to 546552474240
55 to 696248434032
70 and above5952453932

Urban green spaces were most frequently visited by respondents who were students or pupils (71%), employed (61%), or engaged in home duties (59%), compared with those who were unemployed (56%), retired (52%) or unable to work due to longstanding health problems (50%). See Figure 2.4 and Table 2.2.b.

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ReasonsBeach / other coastline / seaUrban green space (e.g. a park, field or playground)River, lake or canalField / farmland / countrysideGrounds of a historic property or country park
Working for payment6461483738
Unemployed6056524143
Retired6052453732
Student or pupil6271543223
Engaged in home duties6059384735
Unable to work
due to longstanding
health problems
5850413729

Participants living in the Dublin region mainly visited urban green spaces (88%) and beaches, other coastlines, or the sea (67%), while those living in the Midlands most frequently visited rivers, lakes, or canals (61%) and fields, farmlands or the countryside (52%).

In the Mid-West region, participants most frequently went to beaches, other coastlines or the sea (53%); rivers, lakes, or canals (52%); and fields, farmlands, or the countryside (52%). Respondents from the Mid-East region visited most frequently beaches, other coastlines, or the sea (56%), urban green spaces (54%), and rivers, lakes, or canals (54%).

Visiting beaches, other coastlines, or the sea was most popular with respondents in South-West (69%), South-East (73%), West (67%), and Border regions (65%). See Table 2.2.b.

Respondents living in urban areas were more likely to say that they most frequently visited urban green spaces (79%), compared with those living in small towns or villages (50%), or rural areas (26%). Participants who lived in rural areas were the most likely to mention frequently visiting fields, farmlands, or the countryside (71%), compared with those living in small towns or villages (38%), or urban areas (21%). See Figure 2.5 and Table 2.2.c.

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ReasonsBeach / other coastline / seaUrban green space (e.g. a park, field or playground)River, lake or canalField / farmland / countrysideGrounds of a historic property or country park
Urban area (e.g.
city or county town)
6679492136
Small town or village6050503838
Rural area (in
the countryside)
5626437133

Participants with children in their household were more likely to say they frequently visited grounds of a historic property or country park (41%) compared to those with no children in their household (33%). See Table 2.2.c.

Respondents who did not have access to a garden were the most likely to frequently visit urban green spaces (79%), compared with 57% of participants with access to a garden. See Table 2.2.c.

Table 2.2.a - Most frequently visited outdoor spaces: Summary of Results. April-May 2022

Table 2.2.b - Most frequently visited outdoor spaces by Sex, Age, Principal Economic Status and NUTS3 Regions. April-May 2022

Table 2.2.c - Most frequently visited outdoor spaces by Degree of Urbanisation Surrounding Homes, Presence of Children in the Household and Access to a Garden. April-May 2022

Willingness to increase knowledge of nature

This section focusses on respondents who liked to spend time outdoors to enjoy nature and who would like to increase their knowledge of nature. The first publication released on 30 May 2022 showed that nine in ten (93%) respondents who liked spending time outdoors to enjoy nature would like to learn more about nature for three main reasons: 'Because I am curious about nature' (79%), 'To reduce my environmental impact' (69%), and 'To better understand my surroundings' (66%). See Table 2.3.a and Table 2.3.b.  For further details, refer to the first publication 'Pulse Survey April-May 2022 - Our Lives Outdoors: Snapshot of Results'.

Being curious about nature was the reason most likely given by all age groups. Respondents aged under 45 were more likely to say they would like to learn more about nature because they are curious about it (85%), compared with 66% of those in retirement.

About seven in ten participants in the age groups under 55 said that they would like to know more about nature so they could reduce their environmental impact, compared with six in ten of those in the age groups 55 and over. Respondents aged 35 to 44 were more likely to say that they would like to learn more about nature to pass on this knowledge to their family/children (64%), compared with about 40% of those aged 55 and over. See Figure 2.6 and Table 2.3.c.

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AgeBecause I am curious about natureTo reduce my environmental impactTo better understand my surroundingsTo pass on knowledge to my family/childrenTo improve my gardening skills
18 to 348575714848
35 to 448573716453
45 to 548067684847
55 to 697161613646
70 and above6660483850

Students or pupils (80%), respondents in employment (71%) or unemployed (73%) were the most likely to say that they would like to increase their knowledge of nature to reduce their environmental impact, while participants in retirement were the least likely (56%). Seven in ten participants engaged in home duties (71%) mentioned that they would like to learn more about nature to pass on this knowledge to their family/children, compared with about three in ten of those in retirement (34%). See Figure 2.7 and Table 2.3.c.

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PESBecause I am curious about natureTo reduce my environmental impactTo better understand my surroundingsTo improve my gardening skillsTo pass on knowledge to my family/children
Working for payment8171694851
Unemployed7173625040
Retired6956525034
Student or pupil8580773744
Engaged in home duties7664585971
Unable to work
due to longstanding
health problems
8065635138

Five in ten respondents (50%) who had access to a garden said that they would like to know more about nature to improve their gardening skills, compared with three in ten (33%) of those who did not have access to a garden. See Table 2.3.d

Participants with children in their household were more likely to mention that they would like to learn more about nature to pass on this knowledge to their family/children (78%), compared with 35% of those who did not have children in their household. See Table 2.3.d.

About seven in ten participants who thought that they already do a lot (73%), do as much as they can (68%), or could do more (70%) to protect the environment would like to increase their knowledge of nature to reduce their environmental impact. Respondents who said they already do a lot were the most likely to mention they would like to learn more about nature to pass on this knowledge to their family/children (57%), compared with 44% of those who do as much as they can and 50% of those who could do more. See Figure 2.8 and Table 2.3.d.

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PESBecause I am curious about natureTo reduce my environmental impactTo better understand my surroundingsTo improve my gardening skillsTo pass on knowledge to my family/children
I already do a lot8273685557
I do as much as I can7868634744
I could do more7970684950

Just under eight in ten respondents who thought that there is still time to act on environmental issues said they would like to know more about nature because they are curious about it. Around seven in ten of these respondents also mentioned wanting to know more so they could reduce their environmental impact or could better understand their surroundings. See Table 2.3.d.

Table 2.3.a - Would you like to increase your knowledge of nature? Summary of Results. April-May 2022

Table 2.3.b - Reasons to increase your knowledge of nature: Summary of Results. April-May 2022

Table 2.3.c - Reasons to increase your knowledge of nature by Sex, Age, Principal Economic Status and NUTS3 Regions. April-May 2022

Table 2.3.d - Reasons to increase your knowledge of nature by Degree of Urbanisation Surrounding Homes, Presence of Children in the Household, Access to a Garden, 'Do you think there is still time to act on environmental issues?' and 'How much do you do to protect the environment?'. April-May 2022