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5. Enjoyment

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  5. 5. Enjoyment

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, 685,000 said they had a demand to participate in at least one sport or physical activity, representing 27% of all adults in 2022-23.

This figure has declined by 4-percentage points since 2021-22, where 31% of adults said they had demand for more sport and/or activity. This represents 87,000 fewer adults with demand.

This decline has been primarily driven by less demand for fitness activities (Graph 8).

Graph 8: The Proportion of Adults Who Have a Demand For At Least One Type of Activity Over Time.

Graph with 6 vertical bars, split into 3 categories. The categories are Fitness Activities, Sports and Games, and Outdoor Pursuits. Within each category, there are two bars. One bar represents data from the previous survey year of 2021-2022, and the second bar represents data from the current survey year, 2022-2023. For the fitness activities category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 20 percent of adults had a demand for this type of activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 16 percent of adults had a demand for this type of activity. For the Sports and Games category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 10 percent of adults had a demand for this type of activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 10 percent of adults had a demand for this type of activity. For the Outdoor Pursuits category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 5 percent of adults had a demand for this type of activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 5 percent of adults had a demand for this type of activity.

 

Across the broad activity groups¹⁸, 16% (403,000 adults) had a demand for at least one ‘Fitness Activity’, 10% (248,000 adults) had a demand for at least one ‘Sport and/or Game’ activity, and 5% (126,000) had a demand for at least one Outdoor Pursuit activity in 2022-23.

This equates to approximately three quarters of a million additional opportunities for participation across the adult population.

¹⁸ Appendix 7.1 provides detail of the types of activities categorised into the broad groups. Note: adults could report activity in multiple broad groups.

Table 9: The Proportion and Number of Adults Who Have a Demand for More Activity, by Frequency of Participation.

 

Percentage of

Adults (%)

Number of Adults
Participated in three or more times per week49%337,000
Participated 2 times per week9%61,000
Participated 1 time per week9%61,000
Participated less than once per week33%222,000

Amongst adults who had demand, 49% participated, on average, three or more times per week during the previous four weeks. This is a 7-percentage point increase compared to 2021-22.

Conversely, 33% of adults who had demand participated on average less than once per week, or not at all, during the previous four weeks. This is a 4-percentage point decline compared to 2021-22.

5.2 Geography

Table 10: The Proportion and Number of Adults Who Have a Demand for More Sport/Physical Activity, by Regional Sport Partnership Footprint and Population Density.

Regional Sport Partnership Area 19Percentage of Adults (%)Number of Adults
North Wales30%169,000
Mid Wales29%50,000
West Wales31%178,000
Central South25%188,000
Gwent21%100,000
Population Density 20
'Urban'26%434,000
'Rural'29%251,000
Wales Total 2127%685,000

¹⁹ Information on Regional Sport Partnerships can be found here. Appendix 7.2 provides detail of the Local Authorities within each Regional Sport Partnership.

²⁰ Population Density definition can be found here

²¹ Information on interpreting totals can be found here.

 

The proportion of adults with demand in North Wales, Mid Wales and West Wales was greater than the proportion of adults with demand in Central South and Gwent.

Further, the proportion of adults with demand in Gwent was lower than the national average, whereas demand in North Wales, Mid Wales, West Wales, and Central South were similar to the national average.

Compared to 2021-22 findings, demand in Central South and Gwent declined, but demand in North, Mid and West Wales remained similar.

Additionally, the proportion of adults who had demand for at least one type of sport/ physical activity in 'Rural' areas was similar to that of 'Urban' areas. This differs from the 2021-22 National Survey findings whereby those in 'Urban' areas were more likely to have demand compared to those in ‘'Rural'’ areas. This means that the change has been driven by less demand existing in 'Urban' areas.

 

Table 11: The Proportion and Number of Adults Who Have a Demand for More Sport and/or Physical Activity, by Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD):

Welsh Index of Multiple DeprivationPercentage of Adults (%)Number of Adults
Quintile 1 (20% most deprived)25%107,000
Quintile 225%119,000
Quintile 329%152,000
Quintile 428%155,000
Quintile 5 (20% least deprived)27%152,000
Wales Total 2227%685,000

22 Information on interpreting totals can be found here.

 

Table 11 shows 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.

The proportion of adults with demand for more sport and/or physical activity was similar between those who live in the most deprived areas compared to those who live in the least deprived areas in Wales.

This differs compared to 2021-22 findings, whereby a 7-percentage point difference was observed between the most and the least deprived communities. Further, demand figures remained similar between 2021-22 and 2022-23 for those in Quintile 1 (most deprived), Quintile 2, Quintile 3 and Quintile 4. However, there has been a decline in demand amongst those in Quintile 5 (least deprived).

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.

Graph with 14 vertical bars, split into 7 categories. The categories represent age groups. The categories are 16 to 24, 25 to 34, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, 55 to 64, 65 to 74, 75 and older. Within each category, there are two bars. One bar represents data from the previous survey year of 2021-2022, and the second bar represents data from the current survey year, 2022-2023. For the 16 to 24 category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 38 percent of adults in this age group had a demand for more sport and activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 33 percent of adults in this age group had a demand for more sport and activity. For the 25 to 34 category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 36 percent of adults in this age group had a demand for more sport and activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 34 percent of adults in this age group had a demand for more sport and activity. For the 35 to 44 category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 39 percent of adults in this age group had a demand for more sport and activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 32 percent of adults in this age group had a demand for more sport and activity. For the 45 to 54 category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 35 percent of adults in this age group had a demand for more sport and activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 29 percent of adults in this age group had a demand for more sport and activity. For the 55 to 64 category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 30 percent of adults in this age group had a demand for more sport and activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 26 percent of adults in this age group had a demand for more sport and activity. For the 65 to 74 category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 23 percent of adults in this age group had a demand for more sport and activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 21 percent of adults in this age group had a demand for more sport and activity. For the 75 years and older category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 13 percent of adults in this age group had a demand for more sport and activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 12 percent of adults in this age group had a demand for more sport and activity. Finally, a horizontal line shows the national average at 27 percent.

 

Overall, the proportion of adults who had demand for more sport and/or physical activity declined with age; those aged between 16-24-years, 25-34-years, 35-44-years, 45-54-years, and 55-64-years were more likely to report that they have demand for more sport and/or activity compared to those aged 65-74-years and 75+ years.

Compared to 2021-22, the proportion of adults with demand declined within age groups 35-44, and 45-54, whilst the proportion of adults with demand in other age groups remained similar.

5.4 Demographics

Table 12: The Proportion and Number of Adults With a Demand to Do More of At Least One Type of Sport or Physical Activity.

 Percentage of Adults (%)Number of Adults
Sex
Females26%340,000
Males28%345,000
Ethnicity

White

(Welsh, English, Scottish, Northern Irish and British)

26%620,000

White Other

(Irish, Gypsy or Irish Traveller, or any other White background)

34%22,000

Any other Ethnic Group

(Black, Black Welsh, Black British, Caribbean, or African, Asian, Asian Welsh, Asian British, Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups)

34%43,000
Illness, Disability, or Infirmity
Has a longstanding illness, disability or infirmity28%335,000
No longstanding illness, disability or infirmity27%346,000
Deprivation
Living in material deprivation33%129,000
Not living in material deprivation26%556,000
Welsh Language
People using Welsh language in everyday life (FG36)32%85,000
People not using Welsh language in everyday life26%600,000
Wales Total 2327%685,000

23 Information on interpreting totals can be found here.

 

Table 12 illustrates the proportion and number of adults who had demand for more sport and/or physical activity, by demographic characteristic.

Those living in material deprivation were more likely to report demand for more sport and/or physical activity compared to those not living in material deprivation. In 2022-23, demand rates remained similar to figures reported in 2021-22 for those living in material deprivation (31% in 2021-22). However, demand rates declined by 5-percentage points amongst those who do not live in material deprivation (31% in 2021-22).

Further, those who use the Welsh language in everyday life were more likely to report demand for at least one sport or physical activity compared to those who do not use Welsh language in everyday life.

Compared to 2021-22, demand rates remained similar amongst Welsh language users (33% in 2021-22). However, demand rates declined by 4-percentage points amongst those who do not use Welsh language in everyday life (30% in 2021-22).

Consistent with 2021-22 findings, no differences in demand rates were found between Males and Females.

However, in contrast to 2021-22, no differences were found between broad Ethnic Groups, or between those with and without a longstanding illness, disability or infirmity in 2022-23.

5.5 Self-Reported Health and Wellbeing

Table 13: The Proportion and Number of Adults Who Have a Demand for More Sport and/or Physical Activity, by Health and Well-being Question Responses.

 Percentage of Adults (%)Number of Adults
General Health
Very good or good28%485,000
Fair26%148,000
Bad or very bad25%51,000
Loneliness
Not lonely24%242,000
Sometimes lonely27%331,000
Lonely34%107,000
Satisfaction with Life
Very high25%183,000
High28%359,000
Medium27%101,000
Low30%38,000
Overall Happiness
Very High26%236,000
High27%272,000
Medium27%104,000
Low33%69,000
Overall Anxiety
Very Low24%250,000
Low28%144,000
Medium28%112,000
High32%173,000
Overall extent of feeling that the things done in life are worthwhile
Very High27%243,000
High27%322,000
Medium28%87,000
Low27%28,000
Wales Total 2427%685,000

24 Information on interpreting totals can be found here.

 

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

Consistent with 2021-22 findings, those who reported their ‘Overall Happiness’ as ‘Low’ were more likely to report a demand for more sport and/or physical activity compared to those who reported it as ‘Very high’.

Also consistent with 2021-22 findings, those who reported their ‘Overall Anxiety’ as ‘Very low’ were more likely to report demand for more sport and/or physical activity compared to those who reported their overall anxiety as ‘High’.

However, in contrast to 2021-22 findings, there were no differences between groups for measures of ‘General Health’, ‘Loneliness’, ‘Overall extent of feeling that the things done in life are worthwhile’.

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.

 

Graph with 8 horizontal bars, split into 4 categories. The categories represent food affordability. The categories are Used a food bank in the last 12 months, had smaller meals or skipped meals, any day in the last fortnight when had no substantial meals, and had meal with meat or vegetarian equivalent at least every other day. Within each category, there are two bars. One bar represents data from the previous survey year of 2021-2022, and the second bar represents data from the current survey year, 2022-2023. For the used a food bank in the last 12 months category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 33 percent of adults who used a food bank in the last 12 months also had a demand for more sport and activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 27 percent of adults who used a food bank in the last 12 months also had a demand for more sport and activity. For the had smaller meals or skipped meals category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 43 percent of adults who had smaller meals or skipped meals also had a demand for more sport and activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 37 percent of adults who had smaller or skipped meals also had demand for more sport and activity. For the any day in the last fortnight when had no substantial meal category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 40 percent of adults who had a day in the last fortnight where they had no substantial meal also had a demand for more sport and activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 35 percent of adults who had a day in the last fortnight where they had no substantial meal also had a demand for more sport and activity. For the had a meal with meat or vegetarian equivalent at least every other day category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 31 percent of adults who had meals with meat or vegetarian equivalent at least every other day also had a demand for more sport and activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 27 percent of adults who had meals with meat or vegetarian equivalent at least every other day also had a demand for more sport and activity.

 

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 or 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.

Graph with 4 horizontal bars, split into 2 categories. The categories represent access to vehicle use. The categories are No car or van available for use, and Car or Van available for use. Within each category, there are two bars. One bar represents data from the previous survey year of 2021-2022, and the second bar represents data from the current survey year, 2022-2023. For the No car or van available for use, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 26 percent of adults with no access to a vehicle also had a demand for more sport and activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 23 percent of adults who had no car or van for use also had a demand for more sport and activity. For the car or van available for use, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 31 percent of adults who had access to a vehicle also had a demand for more sport and activity.. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 28 percent of adults who had access to a vehicle also had a demand for more sport and activity.

 

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 to those who do not have access to a vehicle.

5.7 Unmet Demand ²⁵

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

In 2022-23, 40% or 998,000 adults said they had not participated in any sport or physical activity during the previous four weeks. However, 18% of these adults said they want to participate in at least one type of sport or physical activity. This represents 183,000 people, or 7% of the total adult population in Wales.

Compared to 2021-22, there has been a 2-percentage point decline in the proportion of adults with unmet demand, equating to a difference of 41,000 adults.

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 27.

 

Graph with 6 vertical bars, split into 3 categories. The categories are Fitness Activities, Sports and Games, and Outdoor Pursuits. Within each category, there are two bars. One bar represents data from the previous survey year of 2021-2022, and the second bar represents data from the current survey year, 2022-2023. For the fitness activities category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 183,000 adults had an unmet demand for this type of activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 140,000 percent of adults had an unmet demand for this type of activity. For the Sports and Games category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 191,000 percent of adults had an unmet demand for this type of activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 171,000 percent of adults had an unmet demand for this type of activity. For the Outdoor Pursuits category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 101,000 adults had an unmet demand for this type of activity. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 104,000 adults had an unmet demand for this type of activity.

Graph 12 shows that, in 2022-23, there were 140,000 adults who did not participate in any ‘Fitness Activity’ but said they would like to. Further, there were 171,000 adults who did not participate in any ‘Sport or Game’, but said they would like to. Finally, 104,000 adults said they did not participate in an Outdoor Pursuit, but said they would like to.

Overall, this equates to approximately 415,000 opportunities in sport amongst adults, which were yet to be met during 2022-23.

Compared to 2021-22, there has been a 2-percentage point decline in the proportion of adults with unmet demand for ‘Fitness Activities’, whereas unmet demand for ‘Sports and Games’ and ‘Outdoor Pursuits’ has remained similar.

25 Note: the definition for ‘Unmet Demand’ may differ within the State of the Nation Report for the School Sport Survey.

26 Note: participants can feature in multiple broad groups, but are only counted once within each group.

 

Table 14: The Proportion and Number of Adults Who Have an Unmet Demand for Activity, by Regional Sport Partnership Footprint.

Regional Sport Partnership Area 27Percentage of Adults (%)Number of Adults
North Wales8%45,000
Mid Wales9%16,000
West Wales8%45,000
Central South6%48,000
Gwent6%29,000
Population Density 28
'Urban'7%120,000
'Rural'7%63,000
Wales Total 297%183,000

²⁷ Information on Regional Sport Partnerships can be found here. Appendix 7.2 provides detail of the Local Authorities within each Regional Sport Partnership.

²⁸ Population Density definition can be found here

²⁹ Information on interpreting totals can be found here.

1. Introduction

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1. Introduction

2. Active Nation

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2. Active Nation

3. Everyone

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3. Everyone

4. Lifelong

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4. Lifelong

5. Enjoyment

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5. Enjoyment

6. Sport Specific Data

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6. Sport Specific Data

7. Appendix

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7. Appendix

National Survey for Wales 2022-23

The National Survey for Wales (NSW) is a nationally representative household survey targeted at adults

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