Sport Wales are currently exploring the use of WIMD as a measure of deprivation within the Wales Activity Tracker. As such within this factsheet deprivation will be reported using this measure, whilst on occasions comparisons are made with the ‘Chief Income Earner’ measure. If you require data reported by 'Chief Income Earner' (as in previous surveys) please contact Sport Wales Insight team.
Key socio-economic deprivation headlines:
- Respondents from the least deprived areas, are more likely to walk for leisure with somebody else than any of the other deprivation groups – 48% [30% most deprived] vs. 47% [mid-deprivation] vs. 57% [30% least deprived].”
- Those from the least deprived areas are more likely to feel that the sport and physical activity facilities in their local area are affordable compared to those from the 30% most deprived areas - 37% vs. 42% vs. 44%
- The cost-of-living increases have had the largest negative impact (as reported by respondents) on those from the most deprived areas, whilst had the least negative impact of those from mid-deprivation areas – 42% vs. 33% vs. 37%.
- Around 2 in 3 (67%) of adults in Wales from the least deprived areas find exercise enjoyable and satisfying, however the proportion is lower within mid-deprivation areas and the most deprived areas, where 54% find exercise enjoyable and satisfying respectively.
- Changes in the cost of living have not impacted participation in sport and physical activity for over half of those from areas of mid-deprivation areas and the least deprived areas, compared to under half of those from the most deprived areas - 45% vs. 58% vs. 54%.
- 31% of those in the most deprived areas worry about leaving their home to take part in physical activity, whilst 18% of those in the least deprived worry about leaving their home and are the least likely to worry about it.
- Respondents from the least deprived areas are the most likely to have the confidence to be physically active, while respondents from the most deprived areas are the least likely to have the confidence to be physically active – 53% vs. 59% vs. 63%.
Active Nation (Participation and Activity Type):
- Those from the 30% most deprived areas (most deprived areas) and mid-deprivation (mid-deprivation areas) postcodes were the most likely groups not to have done 30+ minutes exercise on any days in the past week:
- Most deprived areas – 20%
- Mid-deprivation areas – 20%
- Least deprived areas – 15%
- The 30% least deprived (least deprived areas) are the least likely out of the groups to have done 30+ minutes of breath raising exercise 2-4 days in the past week:
- Most deprived areas – 49%
- Mid-deprivation areas – 49%
- Least deprived areas – 46%
- Although, those from the least deprived areas are most likely to do 30+ minutes of exercise 5+ days a week – 23% [30% most deprived] vs. 21% [mid-deprivation] vs. 29% [30% least deprived].
- Walking for leisure is the most popular activity amongst all the deprivation groups and between the three groups there is not much difference in participation, whilst those from the most deprived areas are more likely to walk for travel:
- Walk for leisure – 60% [30% most deprived] vs. 63% [mid-deprivation] vs. 61% [30% least deprived]
- Walk for travel – 30% vs. 21% vs 27%
- Walking is more popular amongst those in the most deprived areas and mid-deprivation areas than those who are in the least deprived areas, although home based activity is more popular amongst those in the least deprived areas:
- Walking - 71% vs. 71% vs. 68%.
- Home-based activity – 18% vs. 16% vs. 22%.
- Respondents from the least deprived areas, are more likely to walk for leisure with somebody else than any of the other deprivation groups – 48% vs. 47% vs. 57%.
- 29% of those in the least deprived areas stated that they would be likely to volunteer to support sport and physical activity, in comparison - 26% of those most deprived areas and 24% of those from mid-deprivation areas are likely to volunteer to support sport and physical activity.
Everyone (Inclusivity):
- 74% of those from the most deprived areas, believe they have the opportunity to be physically active whilst 73% of the least deprived believe they do and 71% of those from mid-deprivation areas. Although, important to note that there are large discrepancies when exploring social grades, which is 77% [ABC1] vs. 69% [C2DE].
- Those from the least deprived areas are more likely to feel that the sport and physical activity facilities in their local area are affordable compared to those from the 30% most deprived areas:
- Most deprived areas – 37%
- Mid-deprivation areas – 42%
- Least deprived areas – 44%
- The cost-of-living increases have had the largest negative impact (as reported by respondents) on those from the most deprived areas, whilst had the least negative impact of those from mid-deprivation areas – 42% vs. 33% vs. 37%.
- The cost-of-living changes have had the least impact on involvement in sport and physical activity for those from mid-deprivation areas and the most impact on both those from most deprived areas and the least deprived areas – 49% vs. 40 vs. 47%. Although, in comparison to social grade, 55% of ABC1’s involvement has been impacted, compared to 44% of C2DE, leaving a 11-percentage-point gap.
- Changes in the cost of living have not impacted participation in sport and physical activity for over half of those from areas of mid-deprivation areas and the least deprived areas, compared to under half of those from the most deprived areas:
- 30% most deprived – 45%
- Mid-deprivation – 58%
- 30% least deprived – 54%
Lifelong (Demand):
- 60% of respondents from the least deprived areas take part in physical activity to help manage their mental health, this in comparison to 55% of the most deprived and 54% of those from mid-deprivation areas.
- Over half of all those from all groups took part in physical activity to help manage their physical health. Although, those from the least deprived areas and mid-deprivation areas are the most likely to take part in physical activity to help manage their mental health:
- Most deprived areas – 54%
- Mid-deprivation areas– 59%
- Least deprived areas – 59%
- Those from the least deprived areas and mid-deprivation are are most likely to have the ability to be physically active – 73% vs. 72% vs. 69%.
- 58% of people in the least deprived areas agree that they are able to access the local sport and physical activity facilities which appeal to them, compared to 56% of those from mid-deprivation areas and 54% of those from the most deprived areas.
Enjoyment (Confidence and Enjoyment):
- Around 2 in 3 (67%) of adults in Wales from the least deprived areas find exercise enjoyable and satisfying, however the proportion is lower within mid-deprivation areas and the most deprived areas, where 54% find exercise enjoyable and satisfying respectively.
- Respondents from the least deprived areas are the most likely to have the confidence to be physically active, while respondents from the most deprived areas are the least likely to have the confidence to be physically active:
- Most deprived areas – 53%
- Mid-deprivation areas – 59%
- Least deprived areas – 63%
- Just under 1 in 3 (32%) of those in the most deprived areas agree that they do not enjoy taking part in physical activity on their own, whilst approximately in 1 in 4 (25%) of those in the least deprived areas agree, and just over 1 in 4 (28%) of those in mid-deprived areas agree.
- Almost 3 in 4 of those from the least deprived areas find it important to them to exercise regularly, which is the highest proportion out of all deprivation groups:
- Most deprived areas – 65%
- Mid-deprivation areas – 66%
- Least deprived areas – 74%
- 31% of those in the most deprived areas worry about leaving their home to take part in physical activity, whilst 18% of those in the least deprived worry about leaving their home and are the least likely to worry about it.
- Confidence rates for participating in physical activity in gyms/health and fitness suites are aligned amongst all the deprivation groups – 38% vs. 37% vs. 40%. Although, important to note that when comparing this by social grade there is a 17-percentage-point gap between ABC1 (50%) vs. C2DE (33%).
