FACTORS DETERMINING THE SPENDING ON RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES: AN ANALYSIS OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HOUSEHOLDS IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of socio-demographic characteristics of individuals on spending on recreational activities. Findings of this research will be of immense use to policymakers of the country in formulating better policies for entrepreneurs in the business sector. This study is based on secondary data gathered through the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS), with an annual sample of 21,756 households representing all 25 districts in the country and it utilized the methods of descriptive statistics and chi-square distribution to derive quantitative data and information in a meaningful way. This research examines how different socio-economic and demographic characteristics of households can affect their expenditure on recreational activities. From the present study, it is evident that, highest spending by both Male Headed Households (MHHs) and Female Headed Households (FHHs) are on sacred goods. It is respectively 23.85 percent and 24.13 percent. Furthermore, it is revealed that most spending on recreation activities was done by Sinhalese households (78.86 percent). Moreover, highest spending on recreational activities is recorded by married head of the households (80.29 percent) while the lowest is by the divorced heads (0.64 percent).