GITNUXREPORT 2026

Sport Participation Statistics

Global youth and adult sports participation remains inconsistent despite some positive trends.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In Australia, adult participation in organized sport was 19.8% for ages 18+ in 2022, averaging 3.1 sessions per week

Statistic 2

In the US, 57.2% of adults aged 18+ participated in sports in 2022

Statistic 3

In England, 63.5% of adults aged 16+ were active for 150+ minutes weekly including sports in 2022/23

Statistic 4

Globally, only 27.5% of adults met WHO aerobic activity guidelines via sports and exercise in 2016

Statistic 5

In Canada, 48% of adults aged 15+ participated in sports in 2022

Statistic 6

In Germany, 25.8% of adults aged 18+ were members of sports clubs in 2022

Statistic 7

In France, 50% of adults practiced a sport at least occasionally in 2021

Statistic 8

In Japan, 42.3% of adults aged 18-69 engaged in sports weekly in 2021

Statistic 9

In Brazil, 35% of adults aged 18+ participated in physical exercises including sports in 2022

Statistic 10

In South Africa, 26% of adults aged 15+ participated in sports in 2022

Statistic 11

In India, 21% of adults aged 18-54 participated in sports in urban areas in 2022

Statistic 12

In the UK, 52% of adults aged 16+ did sport weekly in 2023

Statistic 13

In Mexico, 33% of adults were physically active through sports in 2021

Statistic 14

In China, 33.4% of adults aged 18+ exercised regularly including sports in 2020

Statistic 15

In Sweden, 70% of adults aged 16-84 were active including sports in 2022

Statistic 16

In Italy, 28% of adults practiced sport regularly in 2022

Statistic 17

In Spain, 57.3% of adults aged 15+ did sport in 2022

Statistic 18

In the Netherlands, 40% of adults aged 18+ were members of sports associations

Statistic 19

In New Zealand, 46% of adults played sport weekly in 2022

Statistic 20

In Finland, 45% of adults aged 18-64 participated in vigorous sports weekly

Statistic 21

In Norway, 55% of adults aged 16+ exercised 3+ times weekly including sports

Statistic 22

In Poland, 38% of adults aged 15+ participated in sports in 2022

Statistic 23

In Russia, 30% of adults engaged in regular sports activities

Statistic 24

In Turkey, 25% of adults aged 15+ participated in sports in 2022

Statistic 25

In Argentina, 40% of adults played sports occasionally

Statistic 26

In South Korea, 35.8% of adults aged 19+ met exercise guidelines via sports

Statistic 27

In Ireland, 44% of adults aged 16+ were regularly active in sports

Statistic 28

In the US, 51% of adult women vs 63% of men participated in sports in 2022

Statistic 29

Globally, women are 47% less active than men in sports and physical activity

Statistic 30

In England, 59% of men vs 52% of women aged 16+ were active including sports in 2022/23

Statistic 31

In Australia, male participation in sport was 23.4% vs 16.4% for females aged 15+ in 2022

Statistic 32

In Canada, 52% of men vs 44% of women aged 15+ participated in sports in 2022

Statistic 33

In Germany, 29% of men vs 22% of women were sports club members in 2022

Statistic 34

In France, 55% of men vs 45% of women practiced sport regularly

Statistic 35

In Japan, 48% of men vs 37% of women aged 18-69 did sports weekly

Statistic 36

In Brazil, 38% of men vs 32% of women adults participated in sports

Statistic 37

In South Africa, 30% of men vs 22% of women participated in sports

Statistic 38

In India, urban male participation in sports was 25% vs 17% for females aged 18+

Statistic 39

In the UK, weekly sport participation was 55% for men vs 49% for women

Statistic 40

In Mexico, 36% of men vs 30% of women were active through sports

Statistic 41

In China, 37% of men vs 30% of women exercised regularly via sports

Statistic 42

In Sweden, 75% of men vs 65% of women were active including sports

Statistic 43

In Italy, 32% of men vs 24% of women practiced sport regularly

Statistic 44

In Spain, 60% of men vs 55% of women did sport

Statistic 45

In the Netherlands, 45% of men vs 35% of women in sports clubs

Statistic 46

In New Zealand, 50% of men vs 42% of women played sport weekly

Statistic 47

In Finland, 50% of men vs 40% of women did vigorous sports

Statistic 48

In Norway, 60% of men vs 50% of women exercised weekly

Statistic 49

In Poland, 42% of men vs 34% of women participated in sports

Statistic 50

In Russia, 35% of men vs 25% of women in regular sports

Statistic 51

In Turkey, 28% of men vs 22% of women in sports

Statistic 52

In Argentina, 45% of men vs 35% of women played sports

Statistic 53

In South Korea, 40% of men vs 32% of women met guidelines

Statistic 54

In Ireland, 48% of men vs 40% of women active in sports

Statistic 55

In the US, youth sports participation declined 5% from 2019 to 2022 post-pandemic

Statistic 56

Globally, physical inactivity including low sports participation rose from 23.6% in 2016 to estimated 28% in 2022

Statistic 57

In England, overall adult activity participation increased 2.4% from 2021 to 2023

Statistic 58

In Australia, organized sport participation fell 4% from 2019 to 2022 due to COVID

Statistic 59

In Canada, sports participation rebounded 3% in 2022 after 2020 drop

Statistic 60

In Europe, 38% of adults participated in sports weekly in 2014, stable to 2022

Statistic 61

In the US, pickleball participation grew 158.6% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 62

In Germany, sports club membership decreased 1.5 million since 2012 to 2022

Statistic 63

In France, sports practice rose from 46% in 2010 to 50% in 2021

Statistic 64

In Japan, adult sports participation declined from 45% in 2016 to 42% in 2021

Statistic 65

In Brazil, sports participation increased 10% in urban areas 2015-2022

Statistic 66

In Africa, sports participation averages 20-30% with growth in urban youth

Statistic 67

In India, sports participation doubled in last decade to 25% urban adults by 2022

Statistic 68

In the UK, inactivity rates dropped from 27.4% to 25% 2019-2023

Statistic 69

In Latin America, soccer participation steady at 40% but fitness sports up 15%

Statistic 70

In China, national fitness program boosted participation from 30% to 38% 2014-2020

Statistic 71

In Scandinavia, participation rates >70% stable over decade

Statistic 72

In Italy, post-COVID sports return reached 90% of pre-pandemic levels by 2022

Statistic 73

In Spain, padel growth 200% since 2013

Statistic 74

In Oceania, adult sport participation 40-50% with decline in team sports

Statistic 75

In Eastern Europe, participation grew 5-10% post-2010 with EU funding

Statistic 76

In Russia, sports participation up 15% from 2010 to 2020

Statistic 77

In Middle East, women's sports participation tripled in Gulf states 2010-2022

Statistic 78

In South America, fitness gym memberships up 50% since 2015

Statistic 79

In Asia-Pacific, e-sports blurring lines but traditional sports steady at 30%

Statistic 80

In Ireland, GAA participation grew 12% in last 5 years to 2023

Statistic 81

In the US, basketball was the most participated sport with 29.7 million participants in 2022

Statistic 82

Globally, soccer has 265 million participants, 4% of world population

Statistic 83

In England, running was participated by 12.8 million adults in 2022/23

Statistic 84

In Australia, walking for fitness had 7.1 million participants aged 15+ in 2022

Statistic 85

In the US, outdoor soccer had 13.7 million adult participants in 2022

Statistic 86

In Canada, ice hockey participation was 1.2 million adults in 2022

Statistic 87

In Germany, soccer club membership was 6.8 million in 2022

Statistic 88

In France, tennis had 2 million regular players in 2021

Statistic 89

In Japan, gateball was popular among seniors with 800,000 players

Statistic 90

In Brazil, beach soccer and futsal had 20 million participants

Statistic 91

In South Africa, rugby union had 400,000 registered players

Statistic 92

In India, cricket participation exceeded 100 million recreational players

Statistic 93

In the UK, swimming had 11 million participants yearly

Statistic 94

In Mexico, boxing had high participation with 1.5 million practitioners

Statistic 95

In China, table tennis had 300 million recreational players

Statistic 96

In Sweden, orienteering had 100,000 participants

Statistic 97

In Italy, cycling was done by 4 million adults

Statistic 98

In Spain, padel participation grew to 3.7 million players in 2022

Statistic 99

In the Netherlands, field hockey had 250,000 members

Statistic 100

In New Zealand, rugby had 150,000 participants

Statistic 101

In Finland, ice hockey had 90,000 registered players

Statistic 102

In Norway, cross-country skiing had 1 million participants annually

Statistic 103

In Poland, volleyball had 500,000 players

Statistic 104

In Russia, biathlon was popular with 200,000 enthusiasts

Statistic 105

In Turkey, wrestling had 1 million practitioners

Statistic 106

In Argentina, field hockey women's team drove 100,000 participants

Statistic 107

In South Korea, taekwondo had 10 million practitioners worldwide but 3 million domestically

Statistic 108

In Ireland, Gaelic football had 2.5 million recreational players

Statistic 109

In the United States, 45% of children aged 6-12 participated in team sports in 2022

Statistic 110

Globally, 81% of adolescents aged 11-17 were insufficiently physically active in 2016, with sports participation contributing less than 20% to activity levels

Statistic 111

In England, 46.7% of children aged 5-16 participated in sport outside school at least twice a week in 2022/23

Statistic 112

In Australia, 55% of children aged 5-14 played organized sport in 2022, averaging 2.9 hours per week

Statistic 113

In Canada, 70% of children aged 5-19 participated in sport in 2022, with hockey being the most popular at 12%

Statistic 114

In the US, youth soccer participation reached 4.2 million players aged 6-17 in 2022

Statistic 115

In Germany, 80% of children aged 6-10 engage in organized sports weekly

Statistic 116

In France, 62% of youth aged 11-17 practiced a sport regularly in 2021

Statistic 117

In Japan, 68.5% of elementary school children participated in club sports in 2022

Statistic 118

In Brazil, 45% of adolescents aged 14-18 participated in team sports in 2022

Statistic 119

In South Africa, only 28% of children aged 6-17 participate in organized sports due to access barriers

Statistic 120

In India, 35% of urban youth aged 10-19 engage in sports regularly

Statistic 121

In the UK, 77% of children aged 7 played sport in the past year in 2023

Statistic 122

In Mexico, 52% of children aged 8-17 participated in physical activities including sports in 2021

Statistic 123

In China, 50.2% of students aged 7-18 met daily physical activity standards via sports in 2020

Statistic 124

In Sweden, 85% of children aged 7-14 participate in organized sports

Statistic 125

In Italy, 40% of youth aged 6-17 play football weekly

Statistic 126

In Spain, 57% of children aged 6-15 do sport 3+ times per week

Statistic 127

In the Netherlands, 75% of children aged 4-12 participate in sports clubs

Statistic 128

In New Zealand, 74% of children aged 5-17 played sport in 2022

Statistic 129

In the US, Black youth participation in sports dropped to 38% in 2022 from 45% pre-pandemic

Statistic 130

In Finland, 92% of 7th graders participate in sports at least twice weekly

Statistic 131

In Norway, 70% of children aged 6-12 are members of sports clubs

Statistic 132

In Poland, 55% of youth aged 13-19 engage in sports regularly

Statistic 133

In Russia, 60% of schoolchildren participate in physical culture and sports programs

Statistic 134

In Turkey, 42% of children aged 6-14 participate in sports

Statistic 135

In Argentina, 48% of adolescents play soccer weekly

Statistic 136

In South Korea, 65% of middle school students participate in after-school sports

Statistic 137

In Ireland, 60% of children aged 10-17 play Gaelic games or other sports

Statistic 138

In the US, girls' participation in sports increased by 8% to 3.5 million in high school in 2022

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While team sports captivate millions of children worldwide, startling statistics reveal a complex global story of unequal access, gender gaps, and a concerning drop-off in activity as we age.

Key Takeaways

In the United States, 45% of children aged 6-12 participated in team sports in 2022
Globally, 81% of adolescents aged 11-17 were insufficiently physically active in 2016, with sports participation contributing less than 20% to activity levels
In England, 46.7% of children aged 5-16 participated in sport outside school at least twice a week in 2022/23
In Australia, adult participation in organized sport was 19.8% for ages 18+ in 2022, averaging 3.1 sessions per week
In the US, 57.2% of adults aged 18+ participated in sports in 2022
In England, 63.5% of adults aged 16+ were active for 150+ minutes weekly including sports in 2022/23
In the US, 51% of adult women vs 63% of men participated in sports in 2022
Globally, women are 47% less active than men in sports and physical activity
In England, 59% of men vs 52% of women aged 16+ were active including sports in 2022/23
In the US, basketball was the most participated sport with 29.7 million participants in 2022
Globally, soccer has 265 million participants, 4% of world population
In England, running was participated by 12.8 million adults in 2022/23
In the US, youth sports participation declined 5% from 2019 to 2022 post-pandemic
Globally, physical inactivity including low sports participation rose from 23.6% in 2016 to estimated 28% in 2022
In England, overall adult activity participation increased 2.4% from 2021 to 2023

Global youth and adult sports participation remains inconsistent despite some positive trends.

Adult Participation

In Australia, adult participation in organized sport was 19.8% for ages 18+ in 2022, averaging 3.1 sessions per week
In the US, 57.2% of adults aged 18+ participated in sports in 2022
In England, 63.5% of adults aged 16+ were active for 150+ minutes weekly including sports in 2022/23
Globally, only 27.5% of adults met WHO aerobic activity guidelines via sports and exercise in 2016
In Canada, 48% of adults aged 15+ participated in sports in 2022
In Germany, 25.8% of adults aged 18+ were members of sports clubs in 2022
In France, 50% of adults practiced a sport at least occasionally in 2021
In Japan, 42.3% of adults aged 18-69 engaged in sports weekly in 2021
In Brazil, 35% of adults aged 18+ participated in physical exercises including sports in 2022
In South Africa, 26% of adults aged 15+ participated in sports in 2022
In India, 21% of adults aged 18-54 participated in sports in urban areas in 2022
In the UK, 52% of adults aged 16+ did sport weekly in 2023
In Mexico, 33% of adults were physically active through sports in 2021
In China, 33.4% of adults aged 18+ exercised regularly including sports in 2020
In Sweden, 70% of adults aged 16-84 were active including sports in 2022
In Italy, 28% of adults practiced sport regularly in 2022
In Spain, 57.3% of adults aged 15+ did sport in 2022
In the Netherlands, 40% of adults aged 18+ were members of sports associations
In New Zealand, 46% of adults played sport weekly in 2022
In Finland, 45% of adults aged 18-64 participated in vigorous sports weekly
In Norway, 55% of adults aged 16+ exercised 3+ times weekly including sports
In Poland, 38% of adults aged 15+ participated in sports in 2022
In Russia, 30% of adults engaged in regular sports activities
In Turkey, 25% of adults aged 15+ participated in sports in 2022
In Argentina, 40% of adults played sports occasionally
In South Korea, 35.8% of adults aged 19+ met exercise guidelines via sports
In Ireland, 44% of adults aged 16+ were regularly active in sports

Adult Participation Interpretation

While nations like Sweden lead a brisk global march toward fitness, with over two-thirds of its adults regularly active, the world overall remains in a sluggish warm-up phase, as barely a quarter of us meet the minimum exercise guidelines, suggesting the real race isn't between countries but against our own couches.

Gender-Specific Participation

In the US, 51% of adult women vs 63% of men participated in sports in 2022
Globally, women are 47% less active than men in sports and physical activity
In England, 59% of men vs 52% of women aged 16+ were active including sports in 2022/23
In Australia, male participation in sport was 23.4% vs 16.4% for females aged 15+ in 2022
In Canada, 52% of men vs 44% of women aged 15+ participated in sports in 2022
In Germany, 29% of men vs 22% of women were sports club members in 2022
In France, 55% of men vs 45% of women practiced sport regularly
In Japan, 48% of men vs 37% of women aged 18-69 did sports weekly
In Brazil, 38% of men vs 32% of women adults participated in sports
In South Africa, 30% of men vs 22% of women participated in sports
In India, urban male participation in sports was 25% vs 17% for females aged 18+
In the UK, weekly sport participation was 55% for men vs 49% for women
In Mexico, 36% of men vs 30% of women were active through sports
In China, 37% of men vs 30% of women exercised regularly via sports
In Sweden, 75% of men vs 65% of women were active including sports
In Italy, 32% of men vs 24% of women practiced sport regularly
In Spain, 60% of men vs 55% of women did sport
In the Netherlands, 45% of men vs 35% of women in sports clubs
In New Zealand, 50% of men vs 42% of women played sport weekly
In Finland, 50% of men vs 40% of women did vigorous sports
In Norway, 60% of men vs 50% of women exercised weekly
In Poland, 42% of men vs 34% of women participated in sports
In Russia, 35% of men vs 25% of women in regular sports
In Turkey, 28% of men vs 22% of women in sports
In Argentina, 45% of men vs 35% of women played sports
In South Korea, 40% of men vs 32% of women met guidelines
In Ireland, 48% of men vs 40% of women active in sports

Gender-Specific Participation Interpretation

It appears the global playing field is still tilted, with a stubborn and near-universal gender gap revealing that sports participation is one arena where men consistently have a less impressive lead.

Regional and Trend Statistics

In the US, youth sports participation declined 5% from 2019 to 2022 post-pandemic
Globally, physical inactivity including low sports participation rose from 23.6% in 2016 to estimated 28% in 2022
In England, overall adult activity participation increased 2.4% from 2021 to 2023
In Australia, organized sport participation fell 4% from 2019 to 2022 due to COVID
In Canada, sports participation rebounded 3% in 2022 after 2020 drop
In Europe, 38% of adults participated in sports weekly in 2014, stable to 2022
In the US, pickleball participation grew 158.6% from 2019 to 2022
In Germany, sports club membership decreased 1.5 million since 2012 to 2022
In France, sports practice rose from 46% in 2010 to 50% in 2021
In Japan, adult sports participation declined from 45% in 2016 to 42% in 2021
In Brazil, sports participation increased 10% in urban areas 2015-2022
In Africa, sports participation averages 20-30% with growth in urban youth
In India, sports participation doubled in last decade to 25% urban adults by 2022
In the UK, inactivity rates dropped from 27.4% to 25% 2019-2023
In Latin America, soccer participation steady at 40% but fitness sports up 15%
In China, national fitness program boosted participation from 30% to 38% 2014-2020
In Scandinavia, participation rates >70% stable over decade
In Italy, post-COVID sports return reached 90% of pre-pandemic levels by 2022
In Spain, padel growth 200% since 2013
In Oceania, adult sport participation 40-50% with decline in team sports
In Eastern Europe, participation grew 5-10% post-2010 with EU funding
In Russia, sports participation up 15% from 2010 to 2020
In Middle East, women's sports participation tripled in Gulf states 2010-2022
In South America, fitness gym memberships up 50% since 2015
In Asia-Pacific, e-sports blurring lines but traditional sports steady at 30%
In Ireland, GAA participation grew 12% in last 5 years to 2023

Regional and Trend Statistics Interpretation

While the world collectively got a bit softer on the couch post-pandemic, as seen in the creeping global inertia and youth sport declines, humanity's play instinct proved resilient, erupting in a chaotic, global scramble of pickleball pandemonium, padel mania, determined national reboots, and quiet revolutions in women's sports, proving we'll always find a new, often ridiculously named, way to chase a ball—or a digital dragon—as long as there's a patch of ground or an internet connection.

Sport-Specific Participation

In the US, basketball was the most participated sport with 29.7 million participants in 2022
Globally, soccer has 265 million participants, 4% of world population
In England, running was participated by 12.8 million adults in 2022/23
In Australia, walking for fitness had 7.1 million participants aged 15+ in 2022
In the US, outdoor soccer had 13.7 million adult participants in 2022
In Canada, ice hockey participation was 1.2 million adults in 2022
In Germany, soccer club membership was 6.8 million in 2022
In France, tennis had 2 million regular players in 2021
In Japan, gateball was popular among seniors with 800,000 players
In Brazil, beach soccer and futsal had 20 million participants
In South Africa, rugby union had 400,000 registered players
In India, cricket participation exceeded 100 million recreational players
In the UK, swimming had 11 million participants yearly
In Mexico, boxing had high participation with 1.5 million practitioners
In China, table tennis had 300 million recreational players
In Sweden, orienteering had 100,000 participants
In Italy, cycling was done by 4 million adults
In Spain, padel participation grew to 3.7 million players in 2022
In the Netherlands, field hockey had 250,000 members
In New Zealand, rugby had 150,000 participants
In Finland, ice hockey had 90,000 registered players
In Norway, cross-country skiing had 1 million participants annually
In Poland, volleyball had 500,000 players
In Russia, biathlon was popular with 200,000 enthusiasts
In Turkey, wrestling had 1 million practitioners
In Argentina, field hockey women's team drove 100,000 participants
In South Korea, taekwondo had 10 million practitioners worldwide but 3 million domestically
In Ireland, Gaelic football had 2.5 million recreational players

Sport-Specific Participation Interpretation

The world plays soccer, America loves basketball, but when you truly look at the numbers, humanity's real sport is finding wildly different ways to run around after a ball—or, in a few sensible countries, simply going for a walk.

Youth Participation

In the United States, 45% of children aged 6-12 participated in team sports in 2022
Globally, 81% of adolescents aged 11-17 were insufficiently physically active in 2016, with sports participation contributing less than 20% to activity levels
In England, 46.7% of children aged 5-16 participated in sport outside school at least twice a week in 2022/23
In Australia, 55% of children aged 5-14 played organized sport in 2022, averaging 2.9 hours per week
In Canada, 70% of children aged 5-19 participated in sport in 2022, with hockey being the most popular at 12%
In the US, youth soccer participation reached 4.2 million players aged 6-17 in 2022
In Germany, 80% of children aged 6-10 engage in organized sports weekly
In France, 62% of youth aged 11-17 practiced a sport regularly in 2021
In Japan, 68.5% of elementary school children participated in club sports in 2022
In Brazil, 45% of adolescents aged 14-18 participated in team sports in 2022
In South Africa, only 28% of children aged 6-17 participate in organized sports due to access barriers
In India, 35% of urban youth aged 10-19 engage in sports regularly
In the UK, 77% of children aged 7 played sport in the past year in 2023
In Mexico, 52% of children aged 8-17 participated in physical activities including sports in 2021
In China, 50.2% of students aged 7-18 met daily physical activity standards via sports in 2020
In Sweden, 85% of children aged 7-14 participate in organized sports
In Italy, 40% of youth aged 6-17 play football weekly
In Spain, 57% of children aged 6-15 do sport 3+ times per week
In the Netherlands, 75% of children aged 4-12 participate in sports clubs
In New Zealand, 74% of children aged 5-17 played sport in 2022
In the US, Black youth participation in sports dropped to 38% in 2022 from 45% pre-pandemic
In Finland, 92% of 7th graders participate in sports at least twice weekly
In Norway, 70% of children aged 6-12 are members of sports clubs
In Poland, 55% of youth aged 13-19 engage in sports regularly
In Russia, 60% of schoolchildren participate in physical culture and sports programs
In Turkey, 42% of children aged 6-14 participate in sports
In Argentina, 48% of adolescents play soccer weekly
In South Korea, 65% of middle school students participate in after-school sports
In Ireland, 60% of children aged 10-17 play Gaelic games or other sports
In the US, girls' participation in sports increased by 8% to 3.5 million in high school in 2022

Youth Participation Interpretation

The world's youth sports report card shows we're acing participation in some nations but failing the final exam on global access and consistent engagement, proving that while many children are in the game, too many are still left on the sidelines.

Sources & References

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