3. Everyone

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: Participation in at least one sport or physical activity in the previous four weeks, by Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD): 

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: Participation three or more times per week by Regional Sport Partnership area, and Population Density

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: Participation three or more times per week, by Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD): 

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: Participation in at least one Sport or Physical Activity in the previous four weeks by (1) Sex, (2) Ethnicity, (3) Illness, Disability or Infirmity, (4) Material Deprivation, and (5) Use of Welsh language. 

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: Participation in sport and/or physical activity three or more times a week by (1) Sex, (2) Ethnicity, (3) Illness, Disability or Infirmity, (4) Material Deprivation, and (5) Use of Welsh language.

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.