Scottish household survey 2019: culture and heritage - report

Reports on culture and heritage data from the 2019 Scottish Household Survey.


5 Satisfaction with Local Authority Cultural Services

Since 2007, the Scottish Household Survey has asked questions on the frequency of use and satisfaction with local authority cultural services. Table 5.1 presents the reported levels of satisfaction (including users and non-users of these services) with three different types of local authority cultural service (libraries, museums and galleries, theatres or concert halls). 

2019 data show that around four in ten adults were very or fairly satisfied with their local authority libraries (42 per cent), with museums and galleries (40 per cent) and with theatres or concert halls (42 per cent).

Between 2007 and 2019, satisfaction with libraries decreased by 13 percentage points (55 per cent to 42 per cent respectively) while satisfaction with theatres or concert halls, and museums and galleries has been maintained over this period

Table 5.2 shows levels of satisfaction with local authority culture services amongst those adults who have used these services in the past year only. Levels of satisfaction with local authority cultural services were considerably higher amongst those who had used the services asked about. 2019 data show that around nine in ten adults were either very or fairly satisfied with each of the three services (between 88 per cent and 90 per cent). Similarly, for sub-group analyses (see sections 5.1 to 5.6), satisfaction levels tended to be higher amongst those who had used the services asked about, and similar across sub-groups.

Between 2018 and 2019, satisfaction with museums and galleries increased by two percentage points (86 to 88 per cent) and satisfaction with theatres or concert halls increased by four percentage points (85 to 89 per cent) among service users. Satisfaction with libraries has been maintained.

Table 5.1: Satisfaction with local authority cultural services - Percentage of adults, 2007 to 2019 data (minimum base: 9,020)
Adults 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Libraries
Very/fairly satisfied 55 55 53 52 52 50 51 49 49 48 49 45 42
Neither satisfied ordissatisfied 10 8 7 8 8 8 10 12 15 15 17 15 13
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3
No opinion 32 34 37 38 37 39 38 36 34 35 32 37 42
Museums and galleries
Very/fairly satisfied 41 42 41 38 44 42 44 46 46 45 46 42 40
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 14 12 10 11 10 10 11 14 16 17 18 16 14
Very/fairly dissatisfied 4 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3
No opinion 41 42 45 48 44 46 42 38 35 36 34 39 43
Theatres or concert halls
Very/fairly satisfied 44 44 43 42 45 44 46 47 48 47 47 43 42
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 14 11 10 10 10 9 10 13 15 16 17 16 13
Very/fairly dissatisfied 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 3
No opinion 38 40 43 45 42 45 42 38 35 35 34 39 41
Base 10,220 9,240 9,710 9,020 9,660 9,890 9,920 9,800 9,410 9,640 9,810 9,700 9,780

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Table 5.2: Satisfaction with local authority cultural services (Service users within the last 12 months only) - Percentage of adults, 2007 to 2019 data (minimum base: 2,460)
Adults 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Libraries  
Very/fairly satisfied 90 92 92 91 92 93 92 92 92 93 91 88 90
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 5 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 5 7 5
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 3 3 4 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 3 3
No opinion 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2
Base 4,090 3,510 3,590 3,400 3,510 3,450 3,370 3,270 3,100 3,060 3,160 3,090 2,980
Museums and galleries  
Very/fairly satisfied 87 89 88 87 90 92 91 92 91 91 87 86 88
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 8 7 6 7 5 3 4 5 6 5 8 9 7
Very/fairly dissatisfied 2 2 3 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 3 1
No opinion 3 2 4 4 4 3 3 2 2 3 3 3 4
Base 2,870 2,630 2,720 2,460 2,830 2,800 2,980 3,020 2,920 2,830 2,990 3,050 2,950
Theatres or concert halls  
Very/fairly satisfied 86 87 88 88 89 90 91 91 90 90 89 85 89
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 8 6 6 6 5 5 4 5 6 6 7 9 6
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2
No opinion 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 3
Base 3,560 3,210 3,270 2,960 3,280 3,020 3,260 3,290 3,340 3,230 3,270 3,300 3,250

5.1 Satisfaction with Local Authority Cultural Services by Gender

When asked of both service users and non-users, more women than men were very or fairly satisfied with each of the local authority cultural services asked about (Table 5.3). Forty-six per cent of women and 38 per cent of men were very or fairly satisfied with libraries; 42 per cent of women and 38 per cent men with museums and galleries; and 45 per cent of women and 39 per cent of men with theatres or concert halls.

Table 5.3: Satisfaction with local authority cultural services by gender - Percentage of adults, 2019 data (minimum base: 4,360)
Adults Women Men Identified in another way Refused All
Libraries  
Very/fairly satisfied 46 38 * * 42
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 12 13 * * 13
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 3 * * 3
No opinion 38 46 * * 42
Museums and galleries  
Very/fairly satisfied 42 38 * * 40
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 14 14 * * 14
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 3 * * 3
No opinion 41 45 * * 43
Theatres or concert halls  
Very/fairly satisfied 45 39 * * 42
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 13 14 * * 13
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 3 * * 3
No opinion 39 44 * * 41
Base 5,410 4,360 0 0 9,780

When only service users in the past 12 months were asked about cultural services, there was no significant difference between women and men however. Around nine in ten in both groups reported being very or fairly satisfied with the cultural services that were asked about (Table 5.4). Ninety per cent of both women and men reported being very or fairly satisfied with libraries; 88 per cent of both women and men reported being very or fairly satisfied with museums and galleries; and 89 per cent of women and 88 per cent of men reported being very or fairly satisfied with theatres or concert halls.

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Table 5.4: Satisfaction with local authority cultural services by gender; service users in the past 12 months only - Percentage of adults, 2019 data (minimum base: 1,120)
Adults Women Men Identified in another way Refused All
Libraries  
Very/fairly satisfied 90 90 * - 90
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 5 6 * - 5
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 3 * - 3
No opinion 2 2 * - 2
Base 1,860 1,120 0 - 2,980
Museums and galleries  
Very/fairly satisfied 88 88 * - 88
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 7 6 * - 7
Very/fairly dissatisfied 2 1 * - 1
No opinion 3 5 * - 4
Base 1,730 1,210 0 - 2,950
Theatres or concert halls  
Very/fairly satisfied 89 88 * * 89
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 6 7 * * 7
Very/fairly dissatisfied 2 2 * * 2
No opinion 3 3 * * 3
Base 1,990 1,260 0 0 3,250

5.2 Satisfaction with Local Authority Cultural Services by Age

When asked of both service users and non-users, 35 to 44-year-olds were most likely to be very or fairly satisfied with libraries. Those aged 75 and over were the least likely to be very or fairly satisfied with museums and galleries and theatres or concert halls (Table 5.5).

Table 5.5: Satisfaction with local authority cultural services by age - Percentage of adults, 2019 data (minimum base: 620)
Adults 16 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to 59 60 to 74 75 plus All
Libraries  
Very/fairly satisfied 37 41 51 40 43 40 42
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 17 13 11 12 13 13 13
Very/fairly dissatisfied 2 2 3 4 3 2 3
No opinion 44 43 35 44 41 45 42
Museums and galleries  
Very/fairly satisfied 41 43 45 42 38 29 40
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 16 15 14 14 13 16 14
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 3 3 4 2 2 3
No opinion 40 40 38 41 47 54 43
Theatres or concert halls  
Very/fairly satisfied 40 42 46 46 42 31 42
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 14 15 13 12 13 15 13
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 3 3 3 2 2 3
No opinion 42 40 38 39 43 51 41
Base 620 1,320 1,420 2,410 2,540 1,470 9,780

When asked of only service users in the past 12 months, satisfaction levels tended to be high across the different age groups (Table 5.6). Around nine in ten reported being very or fairly satisfied with libraries, museums and galleries, and theatres or concert halls. A lower number – around eight in ten – of those aged 75 and over reported being very or fairly satisfied with theatres or concert halls however.

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Table 5.6: Satisfaction with local authority cultural services by age; service users in the past 12 months only - Percentage of adults, 2019 data (minimum base: 170)
Adults 16 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 44 45 to  59 60 to 74 75 plus All
Libraries  
Very/fairly satisfied 87 90 92 87 91 90 90
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 10 6 4 6 4 4 5
Very/fairly dissatisfied 1 3 1 5 4 4 3
No opinion 1 1 3 2 1 2 2
Base 170 450 590 640 760 360 2,980
Museums and galleries  
Very/fairly satisfied 87 89 89 86 90 87 88
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 7 7 6 8 7 5 7
Very/fairly dissatisfied 1 2 2 2 0 1 1
No opinion 5 2 3 4 3 7 4
Base 210 500 570 730 690 260 2,950
Theatres or concert halls  
Very/fairly satisfied 90 87 90 89 90 84 89
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 6 9 6 5 5 9 7
Very/fairly dissatisfied 2 2 2 2 1 2 2
No opinion 2 2 2 3 4 5 3
Base 190 480 550 870 830 320 3,250

5.3 Satisfaction with Local Authority Cultural Services by Highest Level of Qualification 

When asked of both service users and non-users, those with a degree or a professional qualification were most likely to be very or fairly satisfied with museums and galleries and theatres or concert halls (Table 5.7). The differences for libraries were less marked.

When asked of only service users in the past 12 months, satisfaction levels tended to be high across the groups with different or no qualifications (Table 5.8). Around nine in ten reported being very or fairly satisfied with libraries, museums and galleries, and theatres or concert halls. A lower number – around eight in ten – of those with other qualification and those with an O Grade, Standard Grade or equivalent reported being very or fairly satisfied with museums and galleries.

Table 5.7: Satisfaction with local authority cultural services by highest level of qualification - Percentage of adults, 2019 data (minimum base: 70)
Adults Degree, Professional qualification HNC/HND or equivalent Higher, A level or equivalent O Grade, Standard grade or equivalent Other qualification No qualifications Qualifications not known All
Libraries  
Very/fairly satisfied 49 45 44 37 34 34 24 42
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 12 15 12 12 14 14 13 13
Very/fairly dissatisfied 4 3 2 3 2 2 1 3
No opinion 35 37 43 47 51 50 62 42
Museums and galleries  
Very/fairly satisfied 52 47 40 31 25 26 39 40
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 13 16 14 14 15 16 9 14
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 3
No opinion 32 35 43 52 58 56 52 43
Theatres or concert halls  
Very/fairly satisfied 54 47 41 36 30 27 24 42
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 12 16 13 13 13 15 16 13
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 3
No opinion 30 34 43 48 54 55 59 41
Base 2,960 1,130 1,460 1,710 640 1,810 70 9,780

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Table 5.8: Satisfaction with local authority cultural services by highest level of qualification; service users in the past 12 months only - Percentage of adults, 2019 data (minimum base: 10)
Adults Degree, Professional qualification HNC/HND or equivalent Higher, A level or equivalent O Grade, Standard grade or equivalent Other qualification No qualifications Qualifications not known All
Libraries  
Very/fairly satisfied 88 90 90 90 92 93 * 90
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 6 5 5 5 2 3 * 5
Very/fairly dissatisfied 4 2 2 2 3 2 * 3
No opinion 1 2 3 2 2 2 * 2
Base 1,220 390 470 420 130 320 20 2,980
Museums and galleries  
Very/fairly satisfied 89 89 88 83 79 89 * 88
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 6 6 6 10 11 7 * 7
Very/fairly dissatisfied 1 1 2 2 - 1 * 1
No opinion 3 4 4 6 10 3 * 4
Base 1,370 410 460 350 110 230 20 2,950
Theatres or concert halls  
Very/fairly satisfied 90 87 90 88 85 87 * 89
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 6 9 5 6 7 6 * 7
Very/fairly dissatisfied 2 2 2 1 1 3 * 2
No opinion 2 2 2 5 7 5 * 3
Base 1,450 440 470 450 140 270 10 3,250

5.4 Satisfaction with Local Authority Cultural Services by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 

When asked of both service users and non-users, those living in the 20 per cent least deprived areas (SIMD, 2020) were most likely to be very or fairly satisfied with museums and galleries and theatres or concert halls (47 per cent and 54 per cent respectively – see Table 5.9). Those living in areas falling within the third and fourth quintiles, and those living in the 20 per cent least deprived areas, were the most likely to be very or fairly satisfied with libraries (45 per cent, 45 per cent, and 44 per cent respectively). Those living in the 20 per cent most deprived areas were the most likely no to have an opinion on all local authority cultural services asked about. 

Table 5.9: Satisfaction with local authority cultural services by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation - Percentage of adults, 2019 data (minimum base: 1,800)
Adults 20% Most deprived  2 3 4 20% Least deprived  Scotland
Libraries  
Very/fairly satisfied 37 40 45 45 44 42
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 13 15 13 12 13 13
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 3 3 3 2 3
No opinion 47 43 39 40 41 42
Museums and galleries  
Very/fairly satisfied 36 38 39 41 47 40
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 12 15 16 14 14 14
Very/fairly dissatisfied 2 3 3 4 2 3
No opinion 49 44 43 41 37 43
Theatres or concert halls  
Very/fairly satisfied 33 37 40 47 54 42
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 12 15 15 13 12 13
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 3 3 3 2 3
No opinion 52 44 42 37 32 41
Base 1,830 1,980 2,150 2,020 1,800 9,780

When asked of only service users in the past 12 months, satisfaction levels were consistently high among the different groups – around nine in ten reported being very or fairly satisfied with local authority cultural services (Table 5.10).

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Table 5.10: Satisfaction with local authority cultural services by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation; service users in the past 12 months only - Percentage of adults, 2019 data (minimum base: 410)
Adults 20% Most deprived  2 3 4 20% Least deprived  Scotland
Libraries  
Very/fairly satisfied 88 90 91 89 89 90
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 5 4 6 5 6 5
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 4 2 3 3 3
No opinion 4 2 1 2 2 2
Base 480 530 660 650 650 2,980
Museums and galleries  
Very/fairly satisfied 90 89 88 85 89 88
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 6 5 8 8 7 7
Very/fairly dissatisfied 1 2 1 2 1 1
No opinion 4 3 3 5 4 4
Base 460 490 590 690 720 2,950
Theatres or concert halls  
Very/fairly satisfied 88 87 87 89 91 89
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 5 7 9 6 6 7
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 3 2 1 1 2
No opinion 3 3 3 3 2 3
Base 410 530 660 800 850 3,250

5.5 Satisfaction with Local Authority Cultural Services by Net Annual Household Income 

When asked of both service users and non-users, those with a net annual household income of over £30,000 were most likely to be very or fairly satisfied with museums and galleries and theatres or concert halls (Table 5.11). The differences for libraries were less marked. Those earning £0-£10,000 were most likely not to have an opinion on theatres or concert halls and, together with those earning between £10,001 and £20,000, on museums and art galleries.

Table 5.11: Satisfaction with local authority cultural services by net annual household income - Percentage of adults, 2019 data (minimum base: 900)
Adults £0-£10,000 £10,001 - £20,000 £20,001 - £30,000 Over £30,000 All
Libraries  
Very/fairly satisfied 41 41 43 44 43
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 12 14 13 12 13
Very/fairly dissatisfied 2 3 3 3 3
No opinion 46 43 41 40 42
Museums and galleries  
Very/fairly satisfied 35 36 40 44 40
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 15 14 15 14 14
Very/fairly dissatisfied 2 2 3 3 3
No opinion 48 47 43 39 43
Theatres or concert halls  
Very/fairly satisfied 33 36 43 48 43
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 12 14 14 13 14
Very/fairly dissatisfied 2 3 3 3 3
No opinion 52 47 40 36 41
Base 900 2,880 2,100 3,500 9,380

When asked of only service users in the past 12 months, satisfaction with all local authority cultural services asked about were consistently high across the different income groups (Table 5.12). Around nine in ten respondents reported being very or fairly satisfied with libraries, museums and galleries, and theatres or concert halls.

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Table 5.12: Satisfaction with local authority cultural services by net annual household income; service users in the past 12 months only - Percentage of adults, 2019 data (minimum base: 210)
Adults £0-£10,000 £10,001 - £20,000 £20,001 - £30,000 Over £30,000 All
Libraries  
Very/fairly satisfied 94 89 90 90 90
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 2 5 6 5 5
Very/fairly dissatisfied 4 3 3 3 3
No opinion 1 3 1 2 2
Base 250 820 630 1,170 2,870
Museums and galleries  
Very/fairly satisfied 87 87 88 88 88
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 8 7 7 7 7
Very/fairly dissatisfied 2 1 1 2 1
No opinion 3 5 4 4 4
Base 220 670 640 1,290 2,820
Theatres or concert halls  
Very/fairly satisfied 85 87 88 89 89
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 8 6 7 6 7
Very/fairly dissatisfied 2 2 2 2 2
No opinion 5 4 3 2 3
Base 210 740 710 1,490 3,140

5.6 Satisfaction with Local Authority Cultural Services by Long-Term Physical or Mental Health Condition 

When asked of both service users and non-users, those with a long-term condition that caused major reduced daily capacity were the least likely to report being very or fairly satisfied with libraries, museums and galleries, and theatres or concert halls (Table 5.13). Those with no long term physical or mental health condition were the most likely to report being very or fairly satisfied with museums and galleries (43 per cent). Those with a condition that caused no reduced daily capacity and those with no conditions were the most likely to report being very or fairly satisfied with theatres or concert halls (46 per cent and 45 per cent respectively). Differences were less marked for libraries.

Table 5.13: Satisfaction with local authority cultural services by long-term physical or mental health condition - Percentage of adults, 2019 data (minimum base: 610)
Adults Yes, causes long term major reduced daily capacity Yes, causes long term minor reduced daily capacity Yes, but no reduced daily capacity None All
Libraries  
Very/fairly satisfied 36 47 45 43 42
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 13 13 14 13 13
Very/fairly dissatisfied 2 3 4 3 3
No opinion 49 38 37 42 42
Museums and galleries  
Very/fairly satisfied 27 39 38 43 40
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 16 16 15 14 14
Very/fairly dissatisfied 2 3 3 3 3
No opinion 55 43 44 40 43
Theatres or concert halls  
Very/fairly satisfied 30 40 46 45 42
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 15 16 14 13 13
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 2 3 3 3
No opinion 52 42 37 39 41
Base 1,560 1,290 610 6,270 9,780

When asked of only service users in the past 12 months, satisfaction with all local authority cultural services asked about tended to be high across the different groups (Table 5.14). Around nine in ten reported being very or fairly satisfied with all services asked about. A lower number – around eight in ten – of those with a condition that caused long-term minor reduced daily capacity reported being very or fairly satisfied with theatres or concert halls. 

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Table 5.14: Satisfaction with local authority culture services by long-term physical or mental health condition; service users in the past 12 months only - Percentage of adults, 2019 data (minimum base: 170)
Adults Yes, causes long term major reduced daily capacity Yes, causes long term minor reduced daily capacity Yes, but no reduced daily capacity None All
Libraries  
Very/fairly satisfied 88 89 88 90 90
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 6 6 4 5 5
Very/fairly dissatisfied 4 2 6 3 3
No opinion 3 2 2 2 2
Base 320 380 210 2,060 2,980
Museums and galleries  
Very/fairly satisfied 87 86 87 88 88
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 9 7 9 7 7
Very/fairly dissatisfied 1 1 2 1 1
No opinion 3 6 2 4 4
Base 210 330 170 2,230 2,950
Theatres or concert halls  
Very/fairly satisfied 87 84 92 89 89
Neither satisfied or dissatisfied 7 11 3 6 7
Very/fairly dissatisfied 3 2 1 2 2
No opinion 4 4 4 3 3
Base 280 370 200 2,390 3,250

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