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4. Lifelong

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  5. 4. Lifelong

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.

Graph with fourteen vertical bars split into seven 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 years category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, showing that 73 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport at least once during the previous four weeks. The second bar in this category represents data from 2022-23, showing 82 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport at least once during the previous four weeks. This age group has the highest proportion of adults who participated in the last four weeks in 2022-23. For the 25 to 34 years category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, showing that 70 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport at least once during the previous four weeks. The second bar in this category represents data from 2022-23, showing 73 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport at least once during the previous four weeks. For the 35 to 44 years category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, showing that 69 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport at least once during the previous four weeks. The second bar in this category represents data from 2022-23, showing 70 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport at least once during the previous four weeks. For the 45 to 54 years category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, showing that 63 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport at least once during the previous four weeks. The second bar in this category represents data from 2022-23, showing 67 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport at least once during the previous four weeks. For the 55 to 64 years category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, showing that 53 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport at least once during the previous four weeks. The second bar in this category represents data from 2022-23, showing 56 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport at least once during the previous four weeks. For the 65 to 74 years category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, showing that 40 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport at least once during the previous four weeks. The second bar in this category represents data from 2022-23, showing 47 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport at least once during the previous four weeks. For the 75 years plus category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, showing that 17 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport at least once during the previous four weeks. The second bar in this category represents data from 2022-23, showing 23 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport at least once during the previous four weeks. Finally, a horizontal line shows the national average at 60 percent.

 

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 in 2021-22 and 2022-23. The national average for 2022-23 is also shown.

In 2022-23, the proportion of adults who participated in sport and/or physical activity at least once during the previous four weeks declines as the respondents age group increases.

A greater proportion of adults within age groups 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 (60%), 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 (60%), and to younger age groups.

Compared to 2021-22, the proportion of 16-24 year olds who participated at least once in the last four weeks increased by 9-percentage points, representing an additional 29,000 adults in this age group who participated. Further, the proportion of adults aged 65 and over who participated at least once in the last four weeks increased by 6-percentage points, representing an additional 43,000 adults in this age group who participated. However, the proportion of those who participated in age groups 25-34-years, 35-44-years, 45-54, and 55-64-years remained similar to figures reported in 2021-22.

 

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

Graph with fourteen vertical bars split into seven 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 years category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, showing that 42 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport three or more times per week. The second bar in this category represents data from 2022-23, showing 57 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport three or more times per week. This age group has the highest proportion of adults who participated three or more times per week in 2022-23. For the 25 to 34 years category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, showing that 42 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport three or more times per week. The second bar in this category represents data from 2022-23, showing 48 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport three or more times per week.. For the 35 to 44 years category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, showing that 42 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport three or more times per week. The second bar in this category represents data from 2022-23, showing 45 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport three or more times per week. For the 45 to 54 years category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, showing that 38 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport three or more times per week. The second bar in this category represents data from 2022-23, showing 42 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport three or more times per week. For the 55 to 64 years category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, showing that 32 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport three or more times per week. The second bar in this category represents data from 2022-23, showing 36 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport three or more times per week. For the 65 to 74 years category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, showing that 24 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport three or more times per week. The second bar in this category represents data from 2022-23, showing 29 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport three or more times per week. For the 75 years plus category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, showing that 9 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport three or more times per week. The second bar in this category represents data from 2022-23, showing 13 percent of adults in this age group participated in sport three or more times per week. Finally, a horizontal line shows the national average at 39 percent.

 

Graph 4 explores differences in age groups by frequency of participation.

As above, the proportion of adults who participated in sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week declined as the respondents age increased.

A greater proportion of adults aged 16-24-years, 25-34-years, 35-44-years, and 45-54-years participated three or more times per week compared to the national average (39%), and to older age groups.

Conversely, a lower proportion of adults participated three or more times per week amongst those aged 55-64-years, 65-74-years, and 75+ years when compared to the national average (39%), and to younger age groups.

Compared to figures reported in 2021-22, the proportion of 16-24 year olds who participated three or more times per week increased by 15-percentage points, representing an additional 47,000 adults in this age group who participated this often. Further, the proportion of adults aged 65 and over participating in sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week increased by 4-percentage points, representing an additional 29,000 adults in this age group who participated this often.

Taking the figures presented in Graph 3 and Graph 4 together, the findings suggest that, not only are more adults aged 16-24 participating in general compared to 2021-22, but that frequency of participation has also improved within this age group. This can be illustrated by the fact that whilst there are 29,000 more adults aged 16-24 are participating at least once in the last four weeks, there has been a much greater incline of 47,000 16-24 year olds participating three or more times per week.

However, the reverse is true for adults aged 65 years and over; whilst overall, 43,000 more adults aged 65 years + are participating at least once in the last four weeks, only 29,000 more adults are participating three or more times per week.

Overall, this suggests that adults aged 65 years and over are more likely to have started or restarted a new sport or activity, whereas those aged 16-24 appear to be increasing the amount they participate.

4.2 Self-Reported Health and Wellbeing

The following table illustrates how the proportion of adults who participated three or more times per week varies according to general health, loneliness, satisfaction with life, happiness, and levels of anxiety.

Table 7: The Number and Percentage of Adults Who Participated in Sport/Physical Activity Three or More Times Per Week, by Health and Well-being Question Responses.

 Percentage of Adults (%)Number of Adults
General Health
Very good or good46%811,000
Fair25%145,000
Bad or very bad14%30,000
Loneliness
Not lonely42%408,000
Sometimes lonely40%477,000
Lonely30%93,000
Satisfaction with Life
Very high42%313,000
High41%521,000
Medium32%117,000
Low22%27,000
Overall Happiness
Very High41%378,000
High40%394,000
Medium37%139,000
Low32%66,000
Overall Anxiety
Very Low39%407,000
Low44%220,000
Medium38%148,000
High37%203,000
Overall extent of feeling that the things done in life are worthwhile
Very High42%377,000
High41%477,000
Medium34%102,000
Low20%20,000
Wales Total 1539%986,000

Table 7 shows how adults who participated three or more times per 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 per week than those reporting their general health as ‘Fair’ or ‘Bad or very bad’. Conversely, 86% (177,000) 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 per week, compared to those who reported ‘Medium’ or ‘Low’ life-satisfaction and overall happiness. In turn, 68% (142,000) of adults who reported ‘Low’ happiness, and 78% (97,000) 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, 70% (220,000) 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 similar across the different levels of self-reported anxiety.

 

15 Information on interpreting totals can be found here.

 

4.3 Employment and Qualifications

This section looks at the variation in the proportion of adults who participated three or more times per week by current employment status and by the highest qualification that person had achieved within their lifetime.

Table 8: The Number and Percentage of Adults Who Participated in Sport/Physical Activity Three or More Times Per Week, by Employment and Education Status.

 Percentage of Adults (%)Number of Adults
Employment 16
In employment47%669,000
Unemployed45%22,000
Economically Inactive28%294,000
Highest Qualification Attained
Degree Level48%393,000
HNC, HND, BTEC Higher, or equivalent43%150,000
A or AS levels or equivalent49%152,000
Apprenticeship31%25,000
O level / GCSE grades A-C, or equivalent36%134,000
O level / GCSE grades D-G, or equivalent25%25,000
Other qualifications29%60,000
No qualifications16%45,000
Wales Total 1739%986,000

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

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

16 Economically Inactive examples include those who are retired, full-time students, or those prevented from working due to long term illness or disability, whilst unemployed represents those who are seeking employment.

17 Information on interpreting totals can be found here

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

This section explores how the proportion of people who participate three or more times per week varies by food use, housing tenure and by vehicle ownership.

Graph 5: The Percentage of Adults Who Participated in Sport Three or More Times Per Week, 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 28 percent of adults who used a food bank also participated in sport three or more times per week. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 24 percent of adults who used a food bank in the last 12 months participated in sport three or more times per week. For the had smaller meals or skipped meals category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 30 percent of adults who had smaller meals or skipped meals also participated in sport three or more times per week. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 34 percent of adults who had smaller or skipped meals also participated in sport three or more times per week. 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 25 percent of adults who had no substantial meal also participated in sport three or more times per week. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 33 percent of adults who had no substantial meal also participated in sport three or more times per week. 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 34 percent of adults who had regular meat or vegetarian meals also participated in sport three or more times per week. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 39 percent of adults who had regular meat or vegetarian meals also participated in sport three or more times per week.

 

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 or had smaller meals or skipped meals were less likely to participate in sport/physical three or more times per week, compared to those who had had a meal with a meat or vegetarian equivalent at least every other day.

Conversely, those who had used a foodbank in the last 12 months were less likely to participate in sport related activities three or more times per week.

The proportion of adults that had a meal with a meat or vegetarian equivalent at least every other day and participated three or more times per week has increased since figures reported in 2021-22, with an additional 131,000 adults participating this often.

Graph 6: The Percentage of Adults Who Participated in Sport Three or More Times Per Week, by Living Situation.

Graph with 6 horizontal bars, split into 3 categories. The categories represent living situation. The categories are Private Rented, Social Housing, and Owner-occupied. 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 Private Rented category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22 and shows 34 percent of adults who privately rented also participated three or more times per week. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 44 percent of adults who privately rented also participated three or more times per week. For the Social Housing category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22 and shows 19 percent of adults who lived in social housing also participated in sport three or more times per week. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 29 percent of adults who lived in social housing also participated in sport three or more times per week. For the owner occupied category, the first bar represents data from 2021-22 and shows 36 percent of adults who own their own property also participated in sport three or more times per week. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 40 percent of adults who owned their own property also participated in sport three or more times per week.

 

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. This is a similar pattern to figures reported in 2021-22.

The percentage of adults who lived in social housing and participated three or more times per week (29%) was significantly lower than the national average (39%).

Graph 7: The Percentage of Adults Who Participated in Sport Three or More Times Per Week, 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 19 percent of adults with no access to a vehicle also participated in sport three or more times per week. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 28 percent of adults who had no car or van for use also participate in sport three or more times per week. For the car or van available for use, the first bar represents data from 2021-22, and shows that 35 percent of adults who had access to a vehicle also participate in sport three or more times per week. The second bar represents data from 2022-23, and shows that 40 percent of adults who had access to a vehicle also participate in sport three or more times per week.

 

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. This is a similar pattern to figures reported in 2021-22.

The percentage of adults who did not have access to a car or van and who participate in sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week was lower than the national average of 39%.

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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