Outdoor recreation
In 2012 the Government decided on ten objectives for outdoor recreation to be attained by 2020. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has responsibility for coordination and follow-up of these ten objectives. The Public Health Agency of Sweden has responsibility for coordinating objective nine regarding outdoor recreation for good public health.
Approximately one-third of the population in Sweden is active in terms of outdoor recreation, i.e. has been outdoors in the nature at least once per week over the past year. There are differences between different groups:
- The age group with the largest share of individuals active in outdoor recreational activities is 55–74 years, where two-fifths perform outdoor recreational activities frequently. In the age group 16–24 years, one-sixth are active in outdoor recreational activities. Only the oldest group (85 years and older) has a lower share of individuals who are active in outdoor recreational activities.
- More women than men perform outdoor recreational activities in the age group 16–54 years. The opposite applies for individuals above 65 years.
- Persons born in Sweden are active in outdoor recreational activities to a higher degree than persons born outside Sweden.
- A larger share of those who live in rural areas are active in outdoor recreational activities than those who live in large cities and city suburbs.
Our mission
The Public Health Agency of Sweden has responsibility for coordinating objective nine of the national outdoor recreation policy – Outdoor recreation for good public health. The target is to increase conditions for everyone to be outdoors in nature and perform outdoor recreational activities on equal terms.