- 46% of the Irish population (approximately 1.7 million people) participated in sport at least once a week in 2019
- Personal exercise remains the most popular activity (16%) followed by swimming (9%), running (7%), and cycling (4%)
- Significant reduction in the number of inactive adults
Approximately 1.7 million Irish adults participated in sport at least once a week in 2019 according figures published by Sport Ireland today. The Irish Sports Monitor 2019 shows that participation rates have grown by 3% since the publication of the 2017 edition, which equates to an additional 150,000 people.
Personal exercise remains the most popular activity for Irish adults at 16%, followed by swimming (9%), running (7%) and cycling (4%).
The Irish Sports Monitor has measured adult participation in sport and physical activity since 2007. The latest report, produced in conjunction with Ipsos MRBI, presents findings based on interviews with over 8,500 adults aged 16 and over conducted between January and December 2019.
Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin TD, welcomed the positive upward trend: “The Programme for Government and the National Sports Policy set ambitious targets for increasing the number of adults regularly playing sport; the 3% increase in participation rates announced today is a solid start to that journey. The Government has committed to prioritise increasing female participation in sport as participants, coaches, referees and administrators. The decline in the gender gap in active participation to the lowest it has ever been at 3.4% is very welcome. This is testament to the increased number of opportunities being provided by our National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and sports clubs around the country. The low number of sedentary people is encouraging, while the decrease in the disability gradient gap is also a positive development.”
The report finds that those who participate in sport and other forms of activity – both physically and socially – exhibit higher levels of positive mental health. Aside from the increase in active participation, improvements were also reported in the numbers attending events, taking up club membership or involved in volunteering – up to 47% from 45%.
Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers TD, added: “As we have seen over recent weeks and months, the community spirit and social capital generated by sport has played a valuable role in helping Ireland through the Covid-19 pandemic. It is heartening to see such strong numbers active and socially engaged, benefitting from the physical, mental and social dimensions of sport and physical activity. Volunteers are the lifeblood of sport in Ireland and it is encouraging to see such strong numbers dedicating their valuable time.”
The report found that there was significant reduction in the number of inactive adults i.e. those not regularly taking part in sport or recreational walking.
Chairman of Sport Ireland, Kieran Mulvey, commented: “It is very encouraging to see an increase in the number of people participating in sport and also in social participation through volunteering, club membership and attendance at sporting events. While the figures announced today are positive, there is always more that can be done to make sure everyone, no matter their age or background, has the opportunity to participate in sport in some capacity. The Board of Sport Ireland will continue to prioritise our efforts to increase participation right across all groups in our society. The insights gained from the Irish Sport Monitor are key to informing future actions in this regard.”
While the reports highlights many positives, a persistent social gradient in the proportion that is highly active exists in terms of socio-economic status, with those from lower socio-economic groups being both less likely to be highly active and more likely to be sedentary.
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, said: “The findings announced published today are encouraging overall and results are moving in the right direction. In particular, it’s welcome to see sustained participation rates in the younger age groups in the 16-34 bracket, with over 90% of people participating in sport citing improving health and fitness as a motivating factor. Personal exercise remains the main driver or participation at 16%, which was reinforced by our recent reports on participation during Covid-19 restrictions that showed unprecedented numbers taking part individual activity. The challenge now is to provide opportunities to sustain and further grow this level of activity. The work of the National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships is vital in achieving this.”
A copy of the 2019 Irish Sports Monitor Full Year Report and summary report can be downloaded here.
A summary for the key findings of the report can be downloaded here.
Key Findings Include:
- 46% of the population regularly take part in sport representing 1.7 million regular participants. This is an increase of 150,000 additional participants since 2017.
- Gender gap in participation continues to decline from 4.5% at end 2017 to 3.4% for 2019 report. This is the lowest gap reported, when the ISM was introduced in 2007 the gap was 15.7%.
- 47% are involved in a social form of sports participation (attending events, club membership or volunteering), this has increased from 45% in 2017.
- Those who do not participate in sport or recreational walking has decreased from 22% in 2017 to 20% in 2019.
- The disability gradient gap has decreased for those participating in sport to 17% as compared to 18% in 2017.
- The most popular sports to participate in are personal exercise (16%), swimming (9%), running (7%), cycling (4%) and dancing, yoga and soccer (3%) in the top 5 activities.
- Those that participate in sport and other forms of activity both physically and socially exhibit higher levels of positive mental health via energy and vitality.
ENDS.
For Further Information:
David Gash, Communications Manager, Sport Ireland
Email: dgash@sportireland.ie
Tel: 01-8608800
Mobile: 087-2277643
Notes to the Editor:
About the Irish Sports Monitor Full Year Report:
- The full year report provides insight on data collected January- December 2019.
- The ISM is based on telephone interviews conducted with 8,504 adults age 16 and older in the Republic of Ireland between January and December 2019.
- The ISM is written by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of Sport Ireland and provides information on active participation in sport and physical activity, club membership, volunteering and attendance at sporting events.