Sport and physical activity generate £123bn in social value

Community sport and physical activity generate £123 billion in social value in England each year, while also delivering an annual £36.2bn boost to the economy.

The figures come from Sport England’s latest social value of sport research model, which is based on in-depth analysis of its Active Lives data and a review of the wider evidence for the health benefits of being active.

Now in its second year, the report covers the period from 2023 to 2024 and suggests that for every £1 invested in community sport and physical activity, £4.38 is generated for economy and society – showing an increase from the £4.20 calculated in 2022-23.

According to the research, the sector also generates £14bn in tax revenue – a return of approximately six times the public investment in sport and physical activity.

Other estimates from the report include that sport and physical activity: prevent 3.3 million cases of chronic health conditions a year generate £8bn in direct net savings to the healthcare system provide nearly £6bn in productivity gains from a healthier workforce taking fewer sick days.

“Health is wealth, and today’s research publication confirms this,” said Sport England CEO, Simon Hayes.