The line graph illustrates the percentage of people in different age groups who visited a museum at least once a year between 1980 and 2010.
Overall, people aged 50 and over were the most frequent museum visitors, while the youngest group (15-24) were the least likely to go. The proportions for both the youngest and oldest groups declined overall, whereas the figures for those aged 25-34 and 35-49 fluctuated slightly but remained relatively stable.
In 1980, around 48% of those aged 50 and over visited a museum annually, compared with about 20% of the 15-24 age group. Over the following decade, both figures rose slightly, before entering a steady decline. The youngest group fluctuated around 22-23% until 2005 and then fell to just above 20% in 2010, while the oldest group dropped more sharply from nearly 50% to about 41% by the end of the period.
In contrast, the proportions of people aged 25-34 and 35-49 started at roughly 38-39% in 1980, then fell to around 30% in 1990 – the lowest point during the period. Both groups then experienced a significant increase to about 40% and 37% respectively in 1995, after which their figures remained relatively stable until 2010.