3. Everyone

Table 1 shows the proportion and number 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 2022-23, Central South had the highest proportion of adults who participated in at least one sport/physical activity during the previous four weeks (64%) representing 477,000 adults.

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

6 Population Density definition can be found here

7 Information on interpreting totals can be found here.

Figures for North Wales and Central South were significantly greater than figures for Mid Wales. Mid Wales had the lowest proportion and number of adults participating in at least one sport/physical activity during the previous four weeks; for every participant in Mid Wales there were five adults who had participated in Central South. Figures for West Wales and Gwent were similar to the national average.

Compared to 2021-22, the proportion of adults who participated in at least one sport or physical activity during the previous four weeks increased in both West Wales and in Central South, by 8- and 6-percentage points, respectively, whereas Gwent and North Wales remained similar to figures reported in 2021-22.

Additionally, whilst the number of adults who participated in 'Urban' areas was approximately double that of 'Rural' areas, the proportions of adults who participated in 'Urban' and 'Rural' areas were similar.

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 who participated in sport and/or physical activity at least once during the previous four weeks was lowest amongst those living in the top 20% most deprived (Quintile 1) areas in Wales; there was a 15-percentage-point difference between those living in the most deprived compared to those living in the least deprived areas in Wales. This difference equates to approximately 154,000 adults.

⁸ Information on interpreting totals can be found here.

Compared to 2021-22, the proportion of adults who participated in sport and/or physical activity at least once during the previous four weeks increased amongst those living in the top 20% most deprived (Quintile 1) areas by 10-percentage points. As a result, the participation gap between the most and least deprived communities has narrowed.

Table 3: Participation Three or More Times Per Week by Regional Sport Partnership Footprint, and Population Density.

Table 3 explores the proportion and number of adults who participated in sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week, by Regional Sport Partnership footprint, and by 'Rural' and 'Urban' areas.

In 2022-23, Central South had the highest proportion of adults participating in sport/physical activity three or more time per week (43%), equating to 325,000 adults.

Compared to figures reported in 2021-22, Central South, North Wales, and West Wales showed increased proportions of adults participating three or more times per week, whereas figures for Gwent and Mid Wales remain similar to those reported in 2021-22, and continue to fall below the national average.

Additionally, whilst the number of adults participating three or more times per week in 'Urban' areas were approximately double that of 'Rural' areas, the proportions of adults participating three or more times per week in 'Urban' and 'Rural' areas were similar.

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

10 Population Density definition can be found here.

11 Information on interpreting totals can be found here.

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 the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD). As described above, the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) is the Welsh Government’s official measure of 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 between those living in the top 20% and 40% most deprived areas in Wales (i.e., Quintile 1 and Quintile 2).

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 (less deprived to least deprived).

There was a 11-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 areas, compared to those who live in the least deprived areas in Wales. This is a difference of 40,000 adults.

The proportion of adults participating in sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week has increased in the most deprived communities (Quintile 1) from 25% in 2021-22 to 34% in 2022-23. This change was greater than those observed for Quintile 2, Quintile 3, Quintile 4, and Quintile 5 since 2021-22.

12 Information on interpreting totals can be found here.

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.

13 Information on interpreting totals can be found here.

Table 5 presents participation data explored by different demographic groups in Wales.

Females were less likely to report having participated in sport and/or physical activity during the previous four weeks compared to Males, with an 8-percentage point difference.

Between broad ethnicity groups, those who reported their ethnicity as ‘White’ had the lowest participation levels. Those from ‘Any Other Ethnic Group’ were most likely to report having participated in the previous 4-weeks. Exploring further, there were additional trends within the ‘Any other Ethnic Group’ broad group, as those who reported their ethnicity as ‘Mixed or Multiple Ethnic groups’ had the highest level of participation (82%); 22-percentage points greater than the national average.

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 23-percetange point difference. Further, those who reported that they were limited by their illness, disability or infirmity, were even less likely to have participated at least once during the previous four weeks, with 42% (385,000) of adults having participated.

Adults living in material deprivation were also less likely to report having participated in the previous four weeks compared to those who were not in material deprivation, with a 14-percentage point difference. However, 86,000 more adults living in material deprivation participated in 2022-23 compared to 2021-22, suggesting the participation gap between those in material deprivation, and those who are not, has narrowed.

Finally, amongst those using the Welsh language every day, a higher proportion reported participating during the previous four weeks compared to those who do not use the Welsh language every day, with a 7-percentage point difference.

Table 6: Participation in Sport and/or Physical Activity Three or More Times Per Week by (1) Sex, (2) Ethnicity, (3) Illness, Disability or Infirmity, (4) Material Deprivation, and (5) Use of Welsh Language.

14 Information on interpreting totals can be found here.

Table 6 illustrates that, in 2022-23, Females were less likely to report having participated in sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week compared to Males; an 8-percentage point difference.

Adults who reported their ethnicity as ‘White’ had the lowest participation rates. Between broad ethnicity groups, those classified as ‘Any Other Ethnic Group’ were most likely to report having participated three or more times per week.

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 an 18-percetange point difference. Further, those who reported that they were limited by their illness, disability or infirmity, were even less likely to have participated three or more times per week, with 26% (238,000) participating this frequently.

Adults living in material deprivation were also less likely to report having participated three or more times per week than those who were not in material deprivation, with a 10-percentage point difference. Despite this, 66,000 more people living in material deprivation participated in sport and/or physical activity three or more times per week in 2022-23 compared to 2021-22.

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.

The results in this section show that, despite participation rates increasing across Wales between 2021-22 and 2022-23, there are still differences in these rates when explored by certain population characteristics. Despite there being evidence of the gaps narrowing across survey years, there remains significant, deep rooted differences in participation levels by gender, disability, deprivation, ethnicity, and Welsh language. These factors are reflected in local and regional participation patterns, alongside additional factors such as age and general health explored in the next section, Lifelong.