Entertainment in Russian Regions: Structure, Factors and Preferences

Introduction. Entertainment plays a key role in modern lifestyles, acting as an important component of leisure and well-being. Despite their importance, comprehensive research on entertainment consumption in Russia remains limited. This paper aims to fill this gap. We analyze the structure of entertainment preferences among the country’s residents with a focus on socio-demographic and regional differences. Materials and Methods. The study used data from the Comprehensive Observation of Living Conditions of the Population for 2022, conducted by Rosstat, covering 117,634 respondents aged 15 years and older. Statistical methods, including Spearman correlation, were used to analyze trends and relationships. Comparison of data for 2018 and 2020 allowed us to assess the recovery from the pandemic and long-term changes in entertainment consumption. Results. The most popular types of entertainment: visiting restaurants/cafes (48 %) and cinemas (37 %). Gender and age differences are significant: young people more often choose movies (73 %), women choose theaters (21 %), men prevail among spectators at sporting events (24 %). Urban residents are more actively involved in cultural life (go to theaters, museums) compared to the rural population. Regional differences are pronounced: Chukotka (62 % of cinema attendance) and St. Petersburg (33 % of theater attendance) represent extreme values. Discussion and Conclusion. The findings of the study indicate the influence of digitalization, urbanization and socio-economic factors on entertainment choices. While urban infrastructure supports a diversity of leisure options, rural areas face accessibility challenges. The results emphasize the need for targeted cultural policies to address regional disparities.