Due to rising prices this past year, consumer spending on hobbies declined while non-face-to-face online leisure activities increased.

As a result, the average amount of money spent on leisure among South Koreans has decreased compared to last year, despite increased time spent on leisure.

According to a survey released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute(KCTI) on Friday, the average monthly leisure time for South Korea has increased to three-point-seven hours on weekdays and five-point-seven hours on days off, up from three-point-six hours and five-point-five hours, respectively, last year.

However, the average monthly expenditure on leisure activities this year stood at 187 thousand won, or over 126 U.S. dollars, down 14 thousand won, or around nine dollars and 50 cents from last year.

The culture ministry explained that the increase in non-face-to-face online leisure activities, such as watching video content and content editing, along with external factors such as inflation, led to a decline in consumer spending.

The survey also showed that more people took part in solo hobbies this year, with a positive response from 54-point-nine percent of those interviewed.