Hobbies : Global Trends, Facts and Figures

The Hobbies Market consists of many types of activities engaged in by individuals to enjoy, explore creativity, develop a skill, or entertain oneself. The industry has soared to greater heights due to the increasing disposable income, the advancement of technology, and the increasing emphasis on mental health and leisure activity. The traditional pastimes include gardening, knitting, and crocheting, while modern leisure activities may include video gaming and content creation. The scope of hobbies is continually freshening.

The hobby market is expanding quickly on a global scale, according to recent estimates.
- It was valued $400 billion in 2023 and will be forecasted to cross $600 billion by 2030, according to a CAGR of 6-8%.
- The gaming segment alone contributed more than $200 billion in revenues in this segment in 2023, thereby becoming the largest category.
- There is a significant growth in sales of crafting supplies, with an increase of about 25% in the past five years in the crafting and DIY market.
- The industry contributes more than $150 billion in annual revenue for the fitness and outdoor recreation sector as the number of people getting into an active lifestyle increases.


Hobbies Industry


Overview

The Hobbies Market consists of many types of activities engaged in by individuals to enjoy, explore creativity, develop a skill, or entertain oneself. The industry has soared to greater heights due to the increasing disposable income, the advancement of technology, and the increasing emphasis on mental health and leisure activity. The traditional pastimes include gardening, knitting, and crocheting, while modern leisure activities may include video gaming and content creation. The scope of hobbies is continually freshening.

The hobby market is expanding quickly on a global scale, according to recent estimates.
- It was valued $400 billion in 2023 and will be forecasted to cross $600 billion by 2030, according to a CAGR of 6-8%.
- The gaming segment alone contributed more than $200 billion in revenues in this segment in 2023, thereby becoming the largest category.
- There is a significant growth in sales of crafting supplies, with an increase of about 25% in the past five years in the crafting and DIY market.
- The industry contributes more than $150 billion in annual revenue for the fitness and outdoor recreation sector as the number of people getting into an active lifestyle increases.

Types & Definition

The hobbies industry refers to the market segment that deals with activities that would occur for personal enjoyment, would keep learning new skills, and would relieve stress. It encompasses a wide array of offline and online pursuits, which provide leisure and creative satisfaction.

1. Creative Hobbies: Painting, drawing, writing, and photography.

2. Physical Activities: Running, dancing, martial arts, and rock climbing.

3. Gaming & Esports: Console gaming, PC gaming, and tabletop games.

4. DIY & Crafting: Knitting, woodworking, jewelry making, and home décor.

5. Music & Performing Arts: Singing, acting, playing instruments, and DJing.

6. Technology & Digital Media: Coding, podcasting, streaming, and graphic design.

7. Nature & Outdoor Hobbies: Camping, fishing, birdwatching, and gardening.

Industry Trends

1. Online Communities Invigoration - New setups of social media and forums define hobby communities.

2. Subscription-Based Hobby Services - Hobby courses are now done online via platforms like MasterClass and Skillshare.

3. Rise of Hybrid Hobbies - Emerging are new trends unlike any other that come with technology for traditional hobbies, such as gardening with augmented reality (AR).

4. More Focus on Mindfulness & Well-Being - Hobbies that encourage relaxation, such as meditation and journaling, are definitely gaining popularity.

5. Eco-Conscious Hobby Choices - With increasing awareness, many are opting for sustainable activities such as upcycling and organic gardening.

Facts & Insights

Advent of Digital Hobbies - Almost 50% of millennials are caught up in gaming and content-making digital hobbies.

Boom in DIY and crafting - Sales for handmade and craft-specific items from Etsy increased by 35% in 2023.

Fitness & Wellness Growth - There is a 40% increase in sales of home workout equipment post-pandemic.

Spending Money on Leisure: An individual spends an average of $2000 annually on hobbies and leisure activities.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Hobbies - Up-and-coming are activities such as urban gardening and eco-friendly crafts.

Market Segment

By Activity Type: Creative, Physical, Digital, Nature-oriented hobbies.

By Age Group: Kids, Teens, Adults, and Elderly.

By revenue model: product sales, subscriptions, and in-app purchases.

By Distribution Channel: Online Marketplaces, Hobby Stores, Streaming Services, and Specialty Retailers.

Industry Leader

1. Several key companies and organizations shape the hobbies market, including:

2. Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft are leading gaming and entertainment brands.

3. Etsy and Michaels are two institutions that are thoroughly dominating the arts, crafts, and DIY market.

4. Peloton & Fitbit are actual players in fitness and wellness hobbies.

5. Yamaha & Fender are major brands in the music and instruments sectors.

6. LEGO & Hasbro - Colossals in collectibles, board games, and creative play.

7. Skillshare & MasterClass are the top online learning platforms for hobbyists.


Frequently Asked Questions

Simply put, the Hobbies Market is an amalgam of industries and activities primarily focused on leisure, creativity, and skill-building.
The market is poised to cross $600 billion figures as the impacts of digital transformation and increased consumer engagement start to take effect toward the end of the decade.
Some of the key observed trends are digital hobbies, subscription services, green activities, and mindfulness hobbies.
Due to significant consumer spending and high audience engagement in leisure activities, North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are leading the way.
Major companies include Nintendo, Etsy, Peloton, LEGO, Skill share, and Fender, among others.