Sport and Active Lifestyles: State of the Nation Report 2021-22

Participation: 

• 56% of adults in Wales participated in sport and physical activity (at least once in the last four weeks).
• 34% of adults in Wales participated in sport and physical activity three or more times a week (Future Generations Indicator No. 38).
• More adults said they participated in ‘Fitness activities’ (51%), compared to ‘Sports and Games’ (14%), or Outdoor Pursuits (6%) (Note – adults could report participation for multiple activities).
• Adults were most likely to participate in Fitness Activities multiple times per week; 59% of adults who participated in this kind of activity participated three or more times per week. Comparatively, 19% of those participating in Sport and Games, and 12% of those participating in Outdoor Pursuits participated in these types of activity three or more times per week.

Demand: 

• Overall, 31% of all adults said they wanted to participate in more sport and/or physical activity.
• ‘Fitness Activities’ were more in demand than ‘Sport and Games’ and ‘Outdoor Pursuits’; 20% of adults said they wanted to do more ‘Fitness Activities’, compared to 10% of adults reporting a demand for ‘Sport and Games’, and 5% for Outdoor Pursuits (Note - adults could report demand for multiple activities).
• Of those who have a demand for more sport and/or physical activity, 43% already participate three or more times per week.
• 20% of adults who do not already participate in sport or physical activity said they would like to participate in at least one sport or physical activity. This represents 224,000 people, and equates to 9% of the total adult population in Wales.

This report is structured around the Vision for Sport in Wales. The Vision is the platform for cross sector engagement in sport and physical activity, and seeks to transform Wales into an active nation, where everyone can have a lifelong enjoyment of sport and physical activity. 

The Vison was co-produced with a wide range of stakeholders and represents the voice of the people of Wales. A collaborative, effort in working towards The Vision will:

• Improve population health and wellbeing
• Provide the people of Wales with the skills to reach their potential
• Support communities to flourish
• Create opportunities for everyone to join in
• Promote Wales to the world through our sporting approach

The State of the Nation Report explores the findings from the ‘Sport and Active Lifestyles’ section of the National Survey for Wales, 2021-2022. 

The National Survey for Wales (NSW) is a large-scale, random sample household survey of adults (ages 16-years and above) from across Wales. This survey is implemented by Welsh Government on behalf of public bodies in Wales. 

Prior to 2016, Sport Wales ran an independent survey, called ‘The Active Adults Survey’. Since then, large scale public-body surveys have been brought together to improve efficiency in data collection across Wales, forming the National Survey for Wales as it is today. Subsequently, Sport Wales survey questions are now embedded within the NSW, called the ‘Sport and Active Lifestyle’ section of the survey.

Methodology of the National Survey for Wales

The National Survey for Wales is ongoing, with data collected continuously throughout the year to avoid seasonal bias within the results. 

Each Spring, a new cycle begins, and data from the previous 12-months is analysed to produce an annual summary of behaviour amongst adults in Wales. The data is then weighted to represent the characteristics of the overall population in Wales, equating to approximately 2.5 million adults. Headline results are published by Welsh Government during the summer months.

Headline findings and background information are available on the Welsh Government website: National Survey for Wales | GOV.WALES.

Key information: 

In 2021-22, 12,500 adults (Ages 16+) across Wales took part.

The “Sport and Active Lifestyles” section of the survey focussed on participation and demand in “Sport and Physical Activity”. These survey questions are available online (Pages 130-143). 

In this report, the term “Sport and/or Physical Activity” refers to the activities listed in Appendix 7.1.

To collect participation figures, respondents were asked about their sport and physical activity behaviour within the “…previous four weeks”, as this provides an indication of typical behaviour for that individual. 

The questions within this section of the survey allow the ability to report on the “Percentage of people participating in sporting activities three or more times a week”. This is a National Indicator (No. 38) for the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.  

The next National Survey (2022-23) is currently taking place across Wales.  ‘By April 2023, another annual cycle of data collection will have concluded. The next set of comparable results are likely to be released during the Summer’

Important Changes to the 2021-22 National Survey for Wales:

Due to differences in methodology used, results from the Sport & Active Lifestyles section of the National Survey for Wales 2021-22 should not be directly compared with results from previous editions of the National Survey for Wales.

The 2020-21 survey cycle was adapted for use due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and so The Sport and Active Lifestyles section could not be included as original questions were designed to be asked in-person with the use of showcards. During this time, work was completed on adapting and piloting the original questions, ready for inclusion within the 2021-22 survey.

For the Sport & Active Lifestyle Section changes included:

Telephone interviews replaced a face-to-face interviewing method used previously.

Questions were revised to be better suited to delivery by telephone, such as Sport Activities being categorised into broader groups. 

Showcards could no longer be used to provide participants with a list of response options.

The vision is to create an active nation with as many people as possible inspired to be active through sport. 

This section explores overall participation and frequency of participation in sport and physical activity amongst adults in Wales. These figures allow us to explore progress toward The Vision for Sport in Wales. 

2.1 National Participation 

Across the 2.5 million adults in Wales, 1,405,000 participated in at least one sport or physical activity during the previous four weeks, representing 56% of all adults. 

This report categorises sport and physical activity into ‘Fitness Activities’, ‘Sports and Games’ and ‘Outdoor Pursuits’. Amongst adults, 51% (1,295,000 people) participated in at least one ‘Fitness Activity’, 14% (343,000 people) participated in at least one ‘Sports and Games’, and 6% (145,000 people) participated in at least one ‘Outdoor Pursuits’ during the previous four weeks. 

2.2 National Frequency of Participation 

34% of adults participated in a sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week during the previous four weeks (Future Generations Indicator No. 38).

Conversely, 50% of adults participated in sport or physical activity less than once per week, or not at all, during the previous four weeks (Graph 1). 

Alt description: Graph with four vertical bars. The highest bar at 50 per cent, indicating a participation frequency of less than one time a week. The other three bars at 8% ,9% and 34%, representing 1 time a week, 2 times a week, and three or more times a week respectively. 

Graph 2: Frequency of Adult Participation by Activity Type. 

Alt description: The graph is split into four participation frequency categories: less than once a week, once a week, twice a week, and three or more times a week. Each category compares Fitness Activities, Sports and Games, and Outdoor Pursuits. Fitness Activities show the most frequent participation, with 59% taking part three or more times a week. In contrast, the highest participation for both Sports and Games (35%) and Outdoor Pursuits (61%) occurs less than once.

The vision is for everyone. From people who don’t see themselves as sporty to people who win medals. 

This section explores participation and frequency of participation in sport and physical activity, by geography and demographic groups in Wales. These figures help to examine similarities or differences between these groups to ensure the benefits of sport and physical activity reach everyone across Wales. 

3.1 Geography 

Table 1: Participation in at least one sport or physical activity in the previous four weeks, by Regional Sport Partnership area, and Population Density.

Table 1 shows the number and percentage of adults who participated in at least one sport or physical activity during the previous four weeks, by Regional Sport Partnerships (RSP) area, and by rural and urban areas. 

In 2021-22, North Wales and Central South had the highest proportion of adults participating in at least one sport/physical activity during the previous four weeks (58%). In Central South, this proportion represented 436,000 adults - the highest figure reported for ‘Any Participation’ in 2021-22. 

Figures for North Wales and Central South figures were greater than figures for Mid Wales and West Wales. Gwent figures were similar to the national average. 

Additionally, whilst the number of adults participating in Urban areas was approximately double that of Rural areas, the proportions of adults participating in Urban and Rural areas were similar, with a difference of only 1 percentage point. 

Table 2 illustrates the proportion and number of adults who participated in any sport and/or physical activity during the previous four weeks, by quintiles of Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD). The Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) is the Welsh Government’s official measure of relative deprivation for small areas in Wales. Each quintile has a similar population size, and so the proportion and number of adults who participated in sport and/or physical activity at least once during the previous four weeks can be compared against each other.    

The proportion of adults participating in any sport and/or physical activity was significantly lower amongst those living in the top 20% most deprived (Q1) areas in Wales. There was a 23-percentage-point difference in the proportion of adults participating in any sport and/or physical activity between those who live in the most deprived compared to those who live in the least deprived areas in Wales. This is a difference of approximately 204,000 adults. 

Table 3 explores the number and percentage of adults who participated in sport and/or physical activity three or more times a week, by Regional Sport Partnership, and by rural and urban areas

In 2021-22, Central South had the highest proportion of adults participating in sport/physical activity three or more time per week (36%), equating to 266,000 adults. 

North Wales and Central South had the highest proportion of adults participating three or more times per week, whereas figures reported across Gwent, West Wales and Mid Wales fall below the national average. However, differences in figures between regions were not statistically significant.   

Additionally, whilst the number of adults participating in Urban areas were approximately double that of Rural areas, the proportions of adults participating in Urban and Rural areas were similar, with a difference of only 1 percentage point.

Table 4 illustrates the proportion and number of adults who participated in sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week, by quintiles of Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD).  The Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) is the Welsh Government’s official measure of relative deprivation for small areas in Wales. Each quintile has a similar population size, and so the proportion and number of adults who participated in sport and/or physical activity at three or more times per week can be compared against each other.    

The proportion of adults participating in sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week was similar amongst those living in the top 20% and 40% most deprived areas in Wales (i.e., Q1 and Q2). 

However, those living in the 20% and 40% most deprived areas in Wales were less likely to participate in sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week compared to those living in Quintile 3, Quintile 4 and Quintile 5 (least deprived). 

There was a 17-percentage-point difference in the proportion of adults participating in sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week between those who live in the most deprived compared to those who live in the least deprived areas in Wales. This is a difference of 135,000 adults. 

3.2 Demographics

Table 5 presents participation data broken down by different demographic groups in Wales.

In 2021-22, Females were less likely to report having participated in sport and/or physical activity during the previous four weeks compared to Males, with a 9-percentage point difference.

Between the broad ethnicity groups, those from ‘Any Other Ethnic Group’ were more likely to report having participated in the previous four weeks, compared to those who reported being ‘White British.’  

Adults who reported having a longstanding illness, disability or infirmity were less likely to have participated during the previous four weeks compared to those without, with a 26-percetange point difference.

Adults living in material deprivation were also significantly less likely to report having participated in the previous four weeks, with a 21-percentage point difference. 

Finally, amongst those using the Welsh language everyday, a significantly higher proportion reported participating during the previous four weeks compared to those who do not use the Welsh language every day, with an 7-percentage point difference.

Table 6 illustrates that, in 2021-22, Females were less likely to report having participated in sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week compared to Males; a 8-percentage point difference.

Between the broad ethnicity groups, those who reported being ‘White – Other’, and ‘Any other Ethnic Group’ were more likely to report having participated three or more times per week. However, these differences were not statistically significant, and so should be treated as being similar across groups. 

Adults reporting a longstanding illness, disability or infirmity were less likely to have participated three or more times per week compared to those without, with a 16-percetange point difference.

Adults living in material deprivation were also significantly less likely to report having participated three or more times per week, with a 17-percentage point difference. 

Finally, amongst those using the Welsh language every day, a greater proportion of adults reported participating three or more times per week compared to those who do not use the Welsh language every day, with a 7-percentage point difference.

The vision is for life. It responds to the needs of people at different stages of their life. 

This section explores participation in sport and physical activity by Age, alongside additional life factors that can impact different people during different stages of their life.

4.1 Age 

Graph 3: Participation in at least one Sport or Physical Activity in the Previous Four Weeks, by Age Groups. 

Alt description: The graph shows seven vertical bars by age group. Participation is highest among 16–24 year olds at 73%, followed by 25–34 (70%), 35–44 (69%), 45–54 (63%), 55–64 (53%), 65–74 (41%), and those aged 75 and over (17%). A horizontal line indicates the national average participation rate of 56%.

Graph 3 shows the proportion of adults within each age group who participated in at least one sport or physical activity within the previous four weeks.  

The proportion of adults who participated in sport and/or physical activity at least once during the previous four weeks declined as age increased. 

A greater proportion of adults aged 16-24-years, 25-34-years, 35-44-years, and 45-54-years participated at least once during the previous four weeks compared to the national average (56%), and to older age groups. 

Conversely, a lower proportion of adults participated at least once during the previous four weeks amongst those aged 55-64-years, 65-74-years, and 75+ years when compared to the national average (56%), and to younger age groups.

Graph 4: Participation in Sport and/or Physical Activity Three or More Times per Week, by Age Groups.

Alt description: The graph shows seven vertical bars by age group, indicating participation in sport three or more times per week. Participation is highest at 42% among adults aged 16–24, 25–34, and 35–44. Rates then decline with age to 38% for 45–54 year olds, 32% for 55–64, 24% for 65–74, and 9% for those aged 75 and over. A horizontal line marks the national average at 34%.

The proportion of adults who participated in sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week during the previous four weeks was equivalent between those aged 16-24-years, 25-34-years, and 35-44-years. As age increased beyond 45-years, the proportion of adults participating three or more times per week declined.  

A greater proportion of adults participated three or more times amongst those aged 16-24-years, 25-34-years, 35-44-years, and 45-54-years compared to the national average (34%), and to adults aged 55-64-years, 65-74-years and 75+ years. 

Those aged 55-64-years were statistically similar to the national average (34%) and less likely to participate three or more times per week compared to younger age groups. 

4.2 Self-Reported Health and Wellbeing  

Table 7 shows how people who participated three or more times a week in sport and physical activity responded to self-reported health and well-being questions. 

Those who reported their general health as ‘Very good or Good’ were more likely to participate three or more times a week than those reporting ‘Fair’ or ‘Bad or very bad’ health. Conversely, 93% (194,000) of adults with ‘Bad or Very Bad’ health participated in sport and/or physical activity less than three times per week. 

Similarly, those who reported having ‘Very high’ or ‘High’ overall satisfaction with life, alongside those who reported ‘Very high’ or ‘High’ overall happiness, were more likely to participate three or more times a week compared to those who reported ‘Medium’ or ‘Low’ life-satisfaction and overall happiness. In turn, 78% (149,000) of adults who reported ‘Low’ happiness, and 83% (107,000) of adults who reported ‘Low’ life satisfaction, participated in sport and/or physical activity less than three times per week. 

Further, those who reported being ‘Lonely’ were less likely to report participating three or more times per week compared to those who reported being ‘Sometimes Lonely’ or ‘Not Lonely’. In turn, 74% (236,000) of adults who reported being ‘Lonely’ participated in sport and/or physical activity less than three times per week.

The proportion of adults participating three or more times per week was statistically similar across the different levels of self-reported anxiety. 

Further, there was no difference in the proportion of adults participating three or more times per week between those who said they had a sense of belonging in their community and those who said they did not.  

4.3 Employment and Qualifications 

Table 8 shows how people who participated three or more times a week in sport and physical activity reported on their employment and highest education qualification attained.

Those in employment were more likely to report participating in sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week compared to those who reported being unemployed or economically inactive.

Those who reported that they had attained a Degree, A Level /AS Level, or HNC/HND/BTEC Higher (or equivalent) were more likely to report participating three or more times per week compared to those whose highest attainment was an Apprenticeship, GCSE/O-Level or Other. Those who had no qualifications were least likely to participate three or more times per week. 

4.4 Food Affordability, Living Situation, and Access to Vehicles. 

Graph 5: The percentage of adults who participated in sport three or more times per week, by food affordability. 

Alt description: Graph with four horizontal bars. The highest bar at 34 per cent, indicating participation frequencies of three or more times a week for those who had a meal with meat or vegetarian equivalent at least every other day.  The other bars at 30, 28,  and 25 per cent.  These represent those who had smaller meals or skipped meals, those that had received food from a foodbank in the last 12 months due to lack of money, and those that had at least one day in the last fortnight when they had not substantial meal, respectively. 

Graph 5 presents the proportion of adults who participated in sport/physical activity three or more times per week by food affordability questions.

Those who experienced one or more days in the past fortnight with no substantial meals were less likely to participate this frequently, compared to those who had had a meal with a meat/vegetarian equivalent at least every other day. 

Graph 6: The percentage of adults who participated in sport three or more times per week, by Living Situation.

Alt description: The graph shows three horizontal bars by housing tenure. Participation in sport three or more times per week is highest among owner‑occupiers (36%), followed by private renters (34%), and lowest among those in social housing (19%).

As shown in Graph 6, those who privately rented or lived in a property they owned were more likely to participate in sport/physical activity three or more times per week compared to those who lived in social housing. 

The percentage of adults who lived in social housing and participated three or more times per week (19%) was significantly lower than the national average (34%). 

Graph 7: The percentage of adults who participated in sport three or more times per week, by vehicle access.

Alt description: The graph shows two horizontal bars comparing participation in sport three or more times per week by vehicle access. Participation is higher among adults with a car or van available (36%) than among those without access to a vehicle (19%).

As shown in Graph 7, those who have access to a car or van were more likely to participate in sport/physical activity three or more times per week. 

The percentage of adults who did not have access to a car or van and participating three or more times per week was significantly lower than the national average of 34%. 

The vision focuses on creating a wide range of positive experiences, so that everyone can enjoy sport and activity. 

This section focuses on exploring the ‘Demand’ and ‘Unmet Demand’ for sport and physical activity in adults. These figures indicate where activities have the potential to grow, and in turn, provide more opportunities for adults to enjoy. 

5.1 National Demand 

Adults with ‘Demand’ refers to those who said they wanted to do more of a sport and/or activity.  These adults might already participate in sport and/or physical activity. 

Across the 2.5 million adults in Wales, 773,000 said they had a demand to participate in at least one sport or physical activity, representing 31% of all adults. 

Graph 8: The proportion of adults who have a demand for at least one type of activity. 

Alt description: The graph shows three vertical bars representing demand for different activity types. Demand is highest for Fitness Activities at 20%, followed by Sports and Games at 10% and Outdoor Pursuits at 5%.

Across the broad activity categories1617 , 20% (500,000 people) had a demand for at least one ‘Fitness Activity’, 10% (260,000 people) had a demand for at least one ‘Sport and/or Game’ activity, and 5% (123,000 people) had a demand for at least one ‘Outdoor Pursuit’ activity. 

This equates to approximately 1 million additional opportunities for participation across the adult population. 

Amongst adults who have a demand for sport, 43% participated, on average, three or more times per week during the previous four weeks. Conversely, 37% of adults who had demand participated on average less than once per week, or not at all, during the previous four weeks. 

5.2 Geography

Central South had the highest proportion of adults with a demand for at least one type of sport/physical activity (35%), equating to 265,000 adults. The proportion of adults with demand in Central South is significantly greater than North Wales, Mid Wales, West Wales and Gwent.  

Further, the proportion of adults with demand in West Wales and Gwent was significantly lower when compared with the national average of 31%

Additionally, the number of adults who have demand for at least one type of sport/physical activity in Urban areas were more than double that of Rural areas, representing a statistically different proportion of demand between populations with varying density characteristics.

Table 11 illustrates the proportion and number of adults who had a demand for more sport and/or physical activity by quintiles of Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD). The Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) is the Welsh Government’s official measure of relative deprivation for small areas in Wales. Each quintile has a similar population size within it, and so the proportion and number of adults who have a demand for more sport and/or physical activity can be compared against each other. 

There was a significant 7-percentage-point difference in the proportion of adults who had a demand for more sport and/or physical activity between those who live in the most deprived compared to those who live in the least deprived areas in Wales. This is a difference of 89,000 adults.

5.3 Ages

Graph 9: The proportion and number of adults who have a demand for more sport and/or physical activity, by Age Group. 

Alt description: The graph shows eight vertical bars by age group. National demand is 31%. Demand is highest among 35–44 year olds at 39%, followed by 16–24 (38%), 25–34 (36%), and 45–54 (35%). Demand then falls to 30% for 55–64 year olds, 23% for those aged 65–74, and 13% for people aged 75 and over.

Overall, the proportion of adults who have a demand for more sport and/or physical activity declines with age. Those aged between 16-24-years, 25-34-years, 35-44-years, and 45-54-years were more likely to report have a demand to participate compared to those aged 55-56-years, 65-74-years and 75+ years.

5.4 Demographics 

Table 12 illustrates the proportion of adults who said they have a demand for more sport and/or physical activity, by demographic characteristics.

Between the broad ethnicity groups23, those who reported being ‘White – Other’, and ‘Any other Ethnic Group’ were more likely to report having a demand for at least one sport or physical activity. Both of these groups had a greater demand for more activity compared with those who reported being ‘White – (Welsh, English, British, etc.)’ 

Further, those who did not report having a longstanding illness, disability or infirmity were more likely to report a demand for more sport and/or physical activity compared to those who did have a longstanding illness, disability or infirmity.

Conversely, no differences were found between Males and Females, those who do and do not live in material deprivation, and those who do and do not speak Welsh daily. 

5.5 Self-Reported Health and Wellbeing  

Table 13 shows how people who have a demand for more sport and/or physical activity responded to self-reported health and wellbeing questions. 

Those who reported their general health as ‘Very good or Good’ were more likely to have a demand for sport and/or physical activity compared to those who reported ‘Bad or Very bad’ health. 

Demand rates across ‘Overall Life Satisfaction’ and ‘Overall Happiness’ response groups were mixed. Those who reported having ‘Low’ or ‘Medium’ overall happiness, alongside those who reported ‘Low’, Medium’ or ‘High’ or Life Satisfaction were significantly more likely to have a demand for more sport and/or physical activity compared to those who reported ‘Very High’ happiness and life satisfaction. 

Those who reported being ‘Lonely’ or ‘Sometimes Lonely’ were more likely to have a demand for more sport and/or physical activity compared to those who reported being ‘Not Lonely’. 

Further, the proportion of adults with a demand for sport and/or physical activity was higher amongst adults who reported ‘High’ levels of overall anxiety compared to those who reported ‘Very Low’ overall anxiety. 

The proportion of adults who had a demand for more sport/physical activity was statistically similar across ‘Overall extent of feeling that the things done in life are worthwhile’ response groups. 

Finally, those who do not have a sense of community were more likely to report having a demand for more sport and/or physical activity compared to those who do report having a sense of community. 

5.6 Food Affordability, Living Situation, and Access to Vehicles. 

Graph 10: The percentage of adults who have a demand for more sport and/or physical activity, by food affordability. 

Alt description: The graph shows four horizontal bars comparing demand for more sport and physical activity by food affordability. Demand is highest among adults who had smaller or skipped meals (43%), followed by those who had at least one day without a substantial meal (40%), those who used a food bank in the last 12 months (33%), and those who had a meat or vegetarian equivalent at least every other day (31%).

Graph 10 presents the proportion of adults who have a demand for more sport/physical activity by food affordability questions

Those who reported having had a meal with meat/vegetarian equivalent at least every other day were less likely to report having a demand for more sport and/or physical activity compared to those who had had smaller or skipped meals, or had a day in the previous fortnight with no substantial meal.

Graph 11: The percentage of adults who have a demand for sport and/or physical activity, by vehicle access. 

Alt description: The graph shows two horizontal bars comparing demand for more sport and physical activity by vehicle access. Demand is higher among adults with access to a car or van (31%) than among those without access to a vehicle (26%).The graph shows two horizontal bars comparing demand for more sport and physical activity by vehicle access. Demand is higher among adults with access to a car or van (31%) than among those without access to a vehicle (26%).

As shown in Graph 11, those who have access to a car or van were more likely to report having a demand in sport/physical activity compared those who do not have access to a vehicle. 

5.7 Unmet Demand

For the purposes of this report, those with an ‘Unmet Demand’ refers exclusively to those who did not participate in a sport/activity already, but said they would like to do so in the future. 

In 2021-22, 44% or 1,104,000 adults, said they had not participated in any sport or physical activity during the previous four weeks. However, 20% of these adults say they want to participate in at least one type of sport or physical activity. This represents 224,000 people, or 9% of the total adult population in Wales. 

Graph 12: The number of adults who do not yet participate in Fitness Activities, Sports & Games and/or Outdoor Pursuits, but say they would like to. 

Alt description: Graph with three vertical bars. The highest bar at 191,000 represents the number of adults who do not yet participate in Sports and Games, but say they would like to.   The other two bars at 183,000 and 101,000, represent the number of adults who want to participate in Fitness Activities and Outdoor Pursuits, but don't yet participate in these activities, respectively. 

Graph 12 illustrates that, in 2021-22, there were 183,000 adults who did not participate in any ‘Fitness Activity’ in 2021-22 but said they would like to. Further, 191,000 adults who did not participate in any ‘Sport or Game’, but said they would like to. Finally, 101,000 adults said they did not participate in an Outdoor Pursuit, but said they would like to. 

Overall, this equates to almost half a million opportunities in sport amongst adults, which were yet to be met during 2021-22.

Central South had the highest proportion of adults with an unmet demand for sport and/or physical given the total number of adults in this region. The rate of unmet demand in Central South is higher than in North Wales and Gwent. Table 14 illustrates that there are many more adults with unmet demand in Central South than there are in other parts of Wales.  For example, despite having a similar rate to Mid Wales the actual number of adults with unmet demand in Central South is over 4 times greater.

Further, a higher proportion of adults from urban areas reported an unmet demand for sport and/or physical activity than in rural areas.  Moreover, approximately 2.5 times the number of adults with unmet demand live in urban areas compared to rural areas.  

Overall, the most common activity adults reported participating in was ‘Walking (over 2 miles)’; 37% of adults said they had participated in this activity at least once during the previous four weeks, equating to 943,000 people. 

The sport or physical activity that had the highest demand was Swimming, with 9% of adults saying they would like to do more, equating to 234,000 people. 

Graph 13: Top three participation activities, by broad category. 

Alt description: The graph shows nine horizontal bars across three activity groups. In Fitness Activities, participation is highest for walking over two miles (943,000 adults), followed by fitness classes (266,000) and weightlifting (200,000). In Games and Sports, athletics, running or jogging is most popular (283,000), ahead of golf (88,000) and football (86,000). Outdoor Pursuits have much lower participation, led by climbing or mountaineering (24,000), fishing or angling (23,000), and canoeing or kayaking (21,000).

Graph 13 illustrates the three activities within each broad category that had the highest number of adults participating during the previous four weeks. 

Within fitness activities, the most common activity adults reported participating in was Walking (over 2 miles), with 943,000 adults having participated during the previous four weeks. Following this, 266,000 adults reported participating in Fitness Classes, and 200,000 adults reported participating in Weightlifting. 

Within Games and Sports, the combined category of ‘Athletics, Running and/or Jogging’ was the most common activity adults reported participating in; 283,000 adults had participated at least once during the previous four weeks. Following this, 88,000 adults participated in Golf, and 86,000 adults participated in Football.

Within Outdoor Pursuits, the activity of Climbing and/or Mountaineering was the most common; 24,000 adults participated at least once during the previous four weeks in this type of activity. Following this, 23,000 adults participated in Fishing and/or Angling, and 21,000 adults participated in Canoeing and/or Kayaking. 

Graph 14: Top three activities adults have demand for, by broad category. 

Alt description: The graph shows nine horizontal bars across three activity groups. In Fitness Activities, demand is highest for swimming (234,000 adults), followed by fitness classes (115,000) and cycling (79,000). In Games and Sports, football has the greatest demand (57,000), ahead of athletics, running or jogging (47,000) and golf (36,000). Outdoor Pursuits show much lower demand, led by canoeing or kayaking (23,000), followed by fishing or angling (20,000) and horse riding (19,000).

Graph 14 illustrates the top three activities adults wanted to do more of, within each broad category.

Within Fitness Activities, the most common activity adults reported a demand for was Swimming, with 234,000 adults saying they wanted to do more. Following this, 115,000 adults said they wanted to participate in more Fitness Classes, and 79,000 adults said they wanted to participate in more Cycling. 

Within Games and Sports, the most common activity adults reported a demand for was Football, with 57,000 adults saying they wanted to do more. Following this, 47,000 adults said they wanted to participate in more Athletics, Running and/or Jogging, and 36,000 adults said they wanted to play more Golf.  

Within Outdoor Pursuits, the most common activity adults reported a demand for was Canoeing and/or Kayaking, with 23,000 adults saying they wanted to do more. Following this, 20,000 adults said they wanted to participate in more Fishing and/or Angling, and 19,000 adults said they wanted to do more Horse Riding. 

7.1 Classifications of ‘Fitness Activity’, ‘Sports and Games’, and ‘Outdoor Pursuits’:

7.2 Regional Sport Partnerships:

Information on Regional Sport Partnerships in Wales.

Appendix 2.7: National Participation by Activity Type (2021-22)

Note: “-” represents less than 30 unweighted responses.  All other activities (not listed above) in the survey had less than 30 unweighted responses for both participation and demand (from a survey of 12,000 adults).