Coverage: Northern Ireland Frequency: Annual Publication
Date: 31 October 2024
Main Stories
In 2023/24, just over half of all adults (51%) had participated in sport
within the last year, an increase on the 2022/23 figure of 48%.
More than three-quarters (77%) of adults had participated in sport or
physical activity (i.e. participated in sport or walked for recreation)
in the last year, with 74% doing so in the previous 4 weeks.
In 2023/24, men were more likely to have participated in sport within
the last year compared to women (58% and 44%, respectively).
Around seven in every ten adults who had participated in sport cited
“improved physical health” (73%), “keep fit” (72%) and “improved mental
health” (68%) as benefits of participating.
Introduction
Among other policy areas, the Department for Communities (DfC) has
responsibility for the development of sport and physical recreation in
Northern Ireland. DfC develops sport policy, provides funding for sport
and supports sports initiatives. In 2022, DfC in collaboration with
other government departments, councils, Sport NI and a wide range of
stakeholders, developed Active Living - the new Sport and Physical
Activity Strategy for Northern Ireland. The Active Living Strategy
builds on the success of the previous strategy, Sport Matters.
This bulletin follows a headline bulletin released in July 2024 and
provides findings from the 2023/24 Continuous Household Survey on the
experience of sport by adults in Northern Ireland. These findings are
used to inform the development, monitoring and evaluation of policy.
More information relating to the CHS, methodology, definitions and the
interpretation of the figures can be found in the Definitions & technical
notes section. Data tables are available in
Excel
and
ODS
format. The questions that were asked in the CHS 2023/24 are available
here.
Note: Data collection for the 2023/24 CHS was carried out
using a mix of telephone and face-to-face interviewing modes, a similar
approach to that used in 2022/23. For 2020/21 and 2021/22 data
collection was by telephone interviewing due to the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic. There was also a reduction in the number of
questions between 2020/21-2022/23. As a result, the figures from 2020/21
onwards are not directly comparable to previous years due to the
significant changes to the survey in terms of methodology and content.
More information is available on the
NISRA
website.
Lead statistician: Amy Lewis
Sport participation
In 2023/24, just over half of all adults (51%) participated in sport
at least once within the last year, an increase on the 2022/23 figure of
48%. When looking at sport participation at least once in the previous 4
weeks, over four out of every ten adults (44%) had participated, an
increase on the 2022/23 figure of 40%.
Note: The results from the 2020/21-2023/24 are not
directly comparable to previous years due to the significant changes to
the survey in terms of methodology and content. A question on sport
participation within the previous 4 weeks was not included in CHS
2020/21.
Sport club membership
Just over a quarter of adults (27%) were a member of a sports club or
organisation within the previous year, this is the highest proportion
recorded across the trend period.
Gender and sport participation
In 2023/24, women (44%) were less likely to have taken part in sport
at least once within the last year than men (58%). Similarly, when
looking at participation rates over the previous four weeks, just under
two-fifths of women (38%) stated that they had taken part in sport
compared to just over half of all men (51%).
Furthermore, men were more likely to be a member of a sports club
than women (35% and 18% respectively).
Sport preferences of men and women
There were differences in the types of sports men and women
participated in within the last year. Compared with women, a higher
proportion of men participated in 8 of the 12 sports listed in the
survey. Sports with the most notable differences include ‘Football’,
‘Cycling for recreation’, ‘Golf or pitch and putt’ and
‘Jogging/running’.
Women were more likely than men to have participated in two of the 12
sports listed. These were ‘Keep fit/aerobics/yoga/dance exercise/weight
training’ and ‘Swimming or diving’.
There were no differences between men and women for ‘Bowls, indoor or
outdoor‘ and ‘Racket sports (tennis, badminton, squash)’.
Sport participation and gender trends
Throughout the entire trend period a higher proportion of men
participated in sport than women year on year. The same trend is seen
when looking at sport participation over the last 4 weeks.
Note: The results from the 2020/21-2023/24 are not
directly comparable to previous years due to the significant changes to
the survey in terms of methodology and content.
Age and Sport participation
In 2023/24, adults aged 45 and over were less likely to have
participated in any sport within the last year (37%) or within the last
4 weeks (32%) compared to adults aged 16-44 years (64% and 55%
respectively).
More detailed analysis of sport participation in the last year by age
group shows no difference between adults aged 16-24 years (72%) and
adults aged 25-34 years (67%). The participation rate decreased for
those aged 35-44 years (59%) and was similar for those aged 45-54 years
(55%). The participation rate then decreased with each subsequent age
group to 26% of those aged 65 and over.
Similarly, when looking at participation rates over the last 4 weeks,
two-thirds of adults aged 16-24 (66%) had taken part in sport compared
to just over a fifth of adults aged 65 and over (22%).
Sport preferences amongst younger and older adults
Adults aged 16-44 years were more likely to have participated in 9
out of the 12 sports listed compared to those aged 45 and over in the
last year. The sports were there was no significant difference in
participation between the age groups include “Golf or pitch and putt”,
“Bowls or tenpin bowling” and “Angling or fishing”.
When looking at participation in sport over the last 4 weeks, the
results were similar. However, a higher proportion of adults aged 45 and
over had participated in “Golf or pitch and putt” or “Bowls or tenpin
bowling” in the last 4 weeks compared to those aged under 45.
Age and Sport participation trends
Generally speaking participation in sport decreases with age. This is
especially true beyond the 45-54 age group with lower proportions from
successive age groups participating in sport within the previous year.
Over the trend period adults aged 16-24 years have consistently been the
most likely to participate in sport while those aged 65 years and over
have been the least likely to participate in sport.
Note: The results from the 2020/21-2023/24 are not
directly comparable to previous years due to the significant changes to
the survey in terms of methodology and content.
Disability and sport participation
In 2023/24, adults who have a disability were less likely to have
taken part in sport at least once within the last year (30%) compared
with those who do not have a disability (59%).
A similar disparity was found when participation rates over the last
four weeks were considered, with just under a quarter of those with a
disability (23%) having taken part in sport compared to over half of
adults who do not have a disability (53%).
Furthermore, a lower proportion of adults with a disability were
members of a sports club compared to those who do not have a disability
(13% and 32% respectively).
Disability and age
Disability and age are closely related. On balance, the older we
become the more likely we are to have a disability. Results have also
shown that age and sport participation are negatively correlated, as we
get older, the less likely we are to participate in sport.
Considering age and disability, analysis was conducted on broad age
groups under 50 years and 50 years and over. The results show that both
younger and older adults who have a disability were less likely to
participate in sport within the previous year than those who do not have
a disability. This suggests that irrespective of age, disability
negatively affects the likelihood of adults participating in sport.
When participation rates over the last four weeks were considered,
the results were similar.
Disability and sport participation trends
In 2023/24, three in every ten adults with a disability (30%)
participated in sport at least once within the last year, an increase on
the 2022/23 figure of 26%. Similar proportions of adults with a
disability took part in sport in the previous 4 weeks when compared with
2022/23 (23% and 21% respectively). The gap in sport participation rates
between adults who have a disability and those who do not have a
disability has remained fairly consistent over the trend period.
Note: The results from the 2020/21-2023/24 are not
directly comparable to previous years due to the significant changes to
the survey in terms of methodology and content. A question on disability
was not included in CHS for 2020/21.
Deprivation and sport participation
In 2023/24, adults living in the most deprived areas in Northern
Ireland were less likely to have participated in sport within the
previous year (41%) or within the last 4 weeks (35%) than those adults
living in the least deprived areas (63% and 54%, respectively).
Similarly, those living in the most deprived areas were less likely to
be a member of a sports club (18%) than those living in the least
deprived areas (32%).
Differences in sport preferences by deprivation
Differences in sport preferences were examined among those living in
the most and least deprived areas in Northern Ireland. Those living in
the least deprived areas were more likely to have participated in 8 of
the 12 sports listed within the previous year.
Some of the sports showing significant differences between the two
groups were ‘Keep fit/aerobics/yoga/dance exercise/weight training’ (32%
v 18%), ‘Golf or pitch and putt’ (14% v 3%) and ‘Jogging/running’ (18% v
8%).
Considering participation rates over the previous 4 weeks shows that
adults living in the least deprived areas were more likely to have taken
part in six of the sports listed compared to those who lived in the most
deprived areas. Adults who lived in the most deprived areas were more
likely to have participated in ‘Basketball or netball’ than those in the
least deprived areas over the previous 4 weeks.
Deprivation and sport participation trends
In 2023/24, just over two-fifths of adults (41%) living in the most
deprived areas participated in sport at least once within the last year,
an increase on the 2022/23 figure of 33%. Similarly, when looking at
sport participation rates in the previous 4 weeks there was an increase
for adults living in the most deprived areas compared to 2022/23 (35%
and 26% respectively).
Note: The results from the 2020/21-2023/24 are not
directly comparable to previous years due to the significant changes to
the survey in terms of methodology and content.
Benefits of participating in sports
Around seven in every ten adults who had participated in sport over
the last year cited “Improved physical health” (73%), “Keep fit” (72%)
and “Improved mental health” (68%) as benefits.
Other benefits cited for taking part in sport include “Have fun”
(40%), “Made me feel better about myself” (38%) and “Lose weight”
(27%).
Only 3% of all adults who had participated stated that they had
experienced no benefits as a result of participating in sport in the
last year.
Considering benefits of participation in sport by gender, men were
more likely than women to have stated “Have fun”, “Opportunities to make
friends”, “Enabled me to communicate with family/ friends”, “Mixed with
people with different backgrounds to myself”, “Learned new skills/
developed existing skills”, “Developed skills as a team player”,
“Developed leadership skills” and “Helped me gain a qualification” as
the main benefits of participating. Women, on the other hand, were more
likely than men to cite “Lose weight” as a benefit they experience from
participation in sport.
Walking for recreation
‘Walking for recreation’ is not included in the overall sport
participation figures. Just over three-fifths of adults (61%) had walked
for recreation within the previous year. In contrast to the demographic
pattern seen with the overall sport participation rates, a higher
proportion of women (67%) than men (55%) had walked for recreation.
Just over a quarter of adults (26%) had not participated in sport but
had walked for recreation within the previous year. As with the previous
results a higher proportion of non-sport participating women (32%) had
walked for recreation than non-sport participating men (20%).
More than three-quarters (77%) of adults had participated in sport or
physical activity (i.e. participated in sport or walked for recreation)
in the last year, with 74% doing so in the previous 4 weeks. A similar
proportion of men and women had participated in sport or physical
activity in the last year (78% and 76% respectively) and in the previous
4 weeks (74% and 73% respectively).
When considering age groups, the pattern is also somewhat different
than that seen when analysing sport participation. Walking for
recreation rates peak among the 45-54 year age group (69%), whilst rates
for 65 years and over were higher than those for adults aged 16-24 years
(57% and 49% respectively).
There were further differences in the proportions of adults walking
for recreation when analysed by deprivation and disability. A lower
proportion of adults who have a disability walked for recreation within
the previous year (50%) than those without a disability (65%).
Similarly, adults living in the most deprived areas were less likely
to have walked for recreation compared to adults living in the least
deprived areas (52% and 73% respectively).
Regular participation in sport or physical activity
Adults in Northern Ireland were asked how many days per week do they
normally take part in sport or physical activity (i.e. participated in
sport or walked for recreation). Whilst over three-quarters of all
adults (77%) had participated in sport or physical activity at least
once within the previous year, 48% normally participated in sport or
physical activity at least one day per week, with just over a fifth
(22%) normally participating on 4 or more days per week.
When looking at adults who participated in sport or physical activity
at least one day per week, the proportion was lower for women, older
adults, adults with a disability and adults living in the most deprived
areas.
Local Government District
In 2023/24, around three in every five adults living in these areas
had participated in sport in the previous year; Lisburn and Castlereagh
(60%), Ards and North down (58%), Belfast (57%) and Armagh City,
Banbridge and Craigavon (57%). In contrast, Derry City and Strabane had
the lowest proportion of adults participating in sport in the previous
year (35%).
Definitions & technical notes
Continuous Household Survey
The Continuous Household Survey is a Northern Ireland wide household
survey administered by Central Survey Unit, Northern Ireland Statistics
and Research Agency. The sample for this survey consists of a systematic
random sample of 8,940 addresses selected from the Land and Property
Service’s list of private addresses. The findings reported for 2023/24
are based on 4,927 respondents, aged 16 and over.
Note: Data collection for the 2023/24 CHS was carried out using a mix of
telephone and face-to-face interviewing modes, a similar approach to
that used in 2022/23. For 2020/21 and 2021/22 data collection was by
telephone interviewing due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. There
was also a reduction in the number of questions between 2020/21-2022/23.
As a result, the figures from 2020/21 onwards are not directly
comparable to previous years due to the significant changes to the
survey in terms of methodology and content. More information is
available on the
NISRA
website.
Weighting the Continuous Household Survey
Analysis of the sport module of the CHS has been weighted for
non-response. A chi square goodness-of-fit test showed that the CHS
sample (4,927) was not representative of the population by age and sex
when compared with the 2022 Mid Year Estimates for Northern Ireland
(NISRA
31 August 2023). As a result, separate weights were produced for
age, sex and age and sex combined.
Non-response weighting sometimes increases standard errors, although the
impact tends to be fairly small, i.e. the adjustment may be less or
greater than 1, but will generally be reasonably close to 1. In the case
of the culture, arts and sport modules of the CHS, the values of the
adjustment for all three weighting systems are so close to one, it is
not necessary to take account of this in the calculation of standard
error and confidence intervals.
While weighting for non-response (also called post-stratification)
should reduce bias, it must be acknowledged that it will not eliminate
bias. The reasons individuals choose to take part in surveys are complex
and depend on lots of factors specific to the individual. As a result,
the non-response biases in surveys are likely to be complex.
Post-stratification works on the assumption that, by aligning the survey
to the population along a small number of dimensions such as age and
gender, many of these complex biases will reduce. However, it would be
misleading to suggest that they will be eliminated.
Statistical significance in this report
Any statements in this report regarding differences between groups are
statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. This means that
we can be 95% confident that the differences between groups are actual
differences and have not just arisen by chance. The base numbers, sizes
of percentages (relating to low self-efficacy and loneliness) or
variance of scores (relating to wellbeing) have an effect on statistical
significance. Therefore on occasion, a difference between two groups may
be statistically significant while the same difference in percentage
points or mean score between two other groups may not be statistically
significant. The reason for this is because the larger the base numbers
or the closer the percentages are to 0 or 100 or the smaller the
variance in scores, the smaller the standard errors. This leads to
increased precision of the estimates which increases the likelihood that
the difference between the proportions or mean scores is actually
significant and has not just arisen by chance.
Official Statistics
Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics
Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and
value in the
Code of
Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics
should adhere to. Contact us directly with any comments about how we
meet these standards -
email:analyticsdivision@communities-ni.gov.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing
regulation@statistics.gov.uk
or via the OSR
website.
Other notes
The following should be noted when interpreting figures and tables:
Percentages less than 0.5% are denoted by ‘0’ and where there are no
responses, they are denoted by ‘-’.
Percentages may not add to 100% due to rounding.
Percentages may not add to 100% for questions where multiple responses
are allowed.
Detailed tabulations are not provided where the number of respondents is
too small to allow meaningful analysis.
The base number of responses to each question, which is shown in each
table, is the unweighted count. The base may vary due to some
respondents not answering certain questions.
Sport participation - Participated in at least one of the
following activities in the 12 months, or 4 weeks prior to the CHS. Does
not include walking for recreation:
Football (indoors or outdoors)
Gaelic games (football, hurling, camogie)
Racket sports (tennis, badminton, squash)
Basketball or netball
Jogging
Cycling for recreation
Walking for recreation
Bowls (indoor or outdoor) or tenpin bowling
Swimming or diving
Angling or fishing
Keep fit/aerobics/yoga/dance exercise/weight training
Snooker or pool
Golf or pitch and putt
Other
Member of a sports club - Are you currently a member of any
sports club or organisation?