Activities of adult learning associations, 2000

Although there was a decline in the activities of the popular education associations compared with previous years, the gender balance remained stable. As in previous years women made up just over 55 per cent of all participants, and 40 per cent of the participants whose age was given were aged 30-49. Aesthetic and handicraft courses attracted the most participants (40 per cent).

Of all organizations, the popular education association Norsk Musikkråd organized the most courses in 2000, accounting for 11 900 courses with a total of 171 500 participants. Together with the Arbeidernes opplysningsforbund i Norge (11 200 courses) and the Studieforbundet Folkeuniversitet (10 200 courses) the three organizations accounted for more than half of the courses organized by the popular education organizations. These three organizations organized a total of 55 per cent of all courses, and registered 57 per cent of all course participants.

Still 11 students on average

In 2000 there was an average of 11 participants per course, the same level as last year. Science, industrial and technical subjects topped the table with 16 participants at each course in 1999, while in 2000 health, social and sports courses had an average of 15 participants at each course. Science, industry, and technical courses followed with 14 participants per course. Language courses had the fewest participants, with an average of eight.

Traditional gender choices

Men and women largely followed the traditional pattern in their selection of subjects. While men were clearly in the majority with 76 per cent taking science, industrial and technical subjects, women made up 71 per cent of the participants attending service courses. Men made up 75 per cent of the participants taking transportation and communication courses, and 74 per cent of those taking natural resource management, ecology, environmental protection and outdoor recreation courses. Courses with high female percentages were languages and health, social and sports subjects, which were 69 per cent women.

Subject choices by age group

Eighty-five per cent of the course participants were broken down by age groups. Participation in aesthetic and handicraft courses was the highest among all the age groups. Forty-six per cent of everyone aged 14-29, 40 per cent of everyone aged 30-49 and 52 per cent of everyone aged 50 and up took courses in this main subject area. The biggest differences among the age groups were seen in organization and management courses. While 20 per cent of the under 50 age group took such courses, the figure for the 50 and up age group was 12 per cent.