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Statistics on botanic gardens usage

Two sources of statistics on the Australia-wide use of botanic gardens have recently become available. The Council of Heads of Australian Botanic Gardens (CHABG) commissioned the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to update earlier Botanic Gardens statistics as part of their Population Survey Monitor with three surveys over the period November 1994 - May 1995. A separate project undertaken by ABS in March 1995 was a 'Survey of Attendance at Selected Cultural Venues' comparing the socio-demographic characteristics of consumers of a range of cultural activities. The data from these two sources have been used to obtain the following percentage estimates for the whole of the Australian population .

Who visits botanic gardens?

• 38.5% of the Australian *population over 15 years old visit at least one botanic gardens each year. Botanic gardens are the second most popular cultural venue attended (cinema is first).
• Of the visitors to botanic gardens 36.7% visit only once a year, 26.2% visit twice, and 16.8% visit more than five times a year.
• Capital city residents visit botanic garden at a much higher rate than people living in other parts of Australia (42.9% compared with 31.2%).
• Females visit at a rate about 6 percentage points higher than males (41.3% versus 35.5%).
• Overseas-born people visit botanic gardens at a rate 4 percentage points higher than Australian-born people (41.4% versus 37.4%).

* As only private dwellings were surveyed, no overseas tourist information is included.

Age of botanic gardens visitors, 15 years and over:

15-17 years	5.7%
18-24 years	15.1%
25-34 years	21.5%
35-44 years	20.8%
45-54 years	15.9%
55-64 years	10.0%
65+ years	11.0%
Total	100%

Those who visit at least one botanic garden each year, according to their age:

15-17 years	39.1%
18-24 years	42.7%
25-34 years	41.5%
35-44 years	41.4%
45-54 years	39.0%
55-64 years	36.0%
65+ years	27.8%
Total	38.5%

Those over 15 who visit at least one botanic garden each year, according to their highest educational qualification:

Degree or higher	62.7%
Trade/Apprentice	63.3%
Certificate/Diploma	51.0%
Other qualification	44.1%
No qualification	33.3%
Still at school	37.7%
Total	38.5%

Those over 18 who visit at least one botanic garden each year, according to their main activity:

Working/seeking work	44.2%
Home duties	35.9%
Retired	30.1%
Studying	59.6%
Recovering from injury	26.3%
Caring for disabled	20.2%
Voluntary work	38.7%
Other	33.0%
Total	38.5%

Those over 15 who visit at least one botanic garden, according to their state of residence:

New South Wales	34.1%
Victoria	38.5%
Queensland	40.3%
South Australia	39.2%
Western Australia	47.9%
Tasmania	37.0%
Northern Territory	44.6%
Australian Capital Territory	49.3%
Australia	38.5%