The latest public opinion survey carried out by sociologist Mario Vassallo for The Sunday Times is in keeping with the summer season - namely, to determine what leisure activities are most popular in Malta, how much time and money is spent on them, and whether Malta has enough opportunities or facilities to enable its citizens to enjoy their leisure activities.

The survey was, as usual, carried out by telephone among 300 households in Malta and Gozo. Interviewing was conducted between June 14 and 23.

The most common reply (41%) given when asked what they mean by leisure was "something which has nothing to do with work", followed very closely (40%) by "a way of life".

"Time left over after I serve my duties" was given by 34%, while 28.67% answered "something which I engage in freely" (more than one reply could be given).

Respondents were asked what importance they gave to six values when indulging in leisure activities; relaxation obtained 93.5 points (out of 100), recreation 93.3, having fun 87.7, passive rest 80.2, self- development 65.3 and spiritual renewal 61.4.

The scale of values varied considerably from one age group to another, with those in the 16-25 category collectively giving spiritual renewal just 48.5 points compared to the 77.6 points for the same value given by those aged over 65.

But what do the Maltese do in their leisure time?

The survey elicited, unprompted, no fewer than 47 different activities, some active, some passive. Watching TV came out tops at 37.2%, followed by reading books (129.3%), swimming (18.3%), going out with the family (12%) and going abroad (11.7%). Interestingly, watching TV is much more popular with females (45.5%) than with males (28.8%), as is reading books (females: 25.3%, males: 13%).

Other activities included going abroad, craftwork, rambling, dining out, going to the cinema, listening to music, watching sports, cooking as a hobby, going out with a group, listening to the radio, gardening, surfing/chatting on the Internet, hunting/trapping (4%), keep fit exercises, coffee mornings (3.7%), engaging in voluntary work (1.3%), going to the theatre (1.3%) and even going to church (1%).

Forty-two per cent spend one hour a day in their leisure activities; 35.3% spend two hours, with 8.7% devoting three hours. Naturally, those who have retired from work have more leisure time at their disposal, so that, in the 65+ age group, 10.5% spend three hours, 6.5% four, 2.2% each five, six and ten hours.

Only 4.7% said they spend no time at all on leisure activities every week.

Respondents were also asked how much they spend on leisure activities for themselves and for their family. Forty-three per cent said they spend Lm1-5 a week for themselves, 27.3% Lm6-10, 15% Lm11-15, with 0.7% - incidentally all females - saying they spend over Lm30 a week.

Asked how much they spend on their family, 10% did not reply; 25.3% said they spend Lm11-15 a week, 21% Lm16-20, and 15% spend Lm25-30 a week. Only 2% said they spend over Lm30 a week.

The Maltese most enjoy spending their leisure time with their family (46%); 18% said they prefer friends from work or study, 15.3% with other friends, 14% said they preferred to spend it alone, while 6% said they spent it with their partner.

Finally, a majority (55.3%) think that not enough opportunities exist in Malta for one to enjoy one's leisure time; 44.7% think otherwise.

Asked to comment on these findings, Professor Vassallo said: "Leisure activities in Malta have changed enormously over the last 50 years. One of the most salient changes has been the commercialisation of leisure. This has brought more variety and introduced new values into what one does during one's free time.

"In line with the novel lifestyles that youths, in particular, engage in nowadays, leisure activities have come to be associated more with fun and having a good time rather than with self-development and self-regeneration. Although this study shows that the Maltese engage in many activities in their leisure time, passive ones, especially TV watching, are very common.

"This fact is not necessarily a good thing, and in many cultures, more attention is being given to learning and discovery, rather than just sheer fun activities. Perhaps we Maltese need to reflect a bit more on what we do in our free time and seek to engage in more creative activities which help us to regenerate ourselves away from the workplace, but in a way which help us grow as individuals and citizens who understand slightly more of the complex world we live in", Professor Vassallo concluded.