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Sport Participation

Participation in sport has many physical, social and economic benefits. There are a number of individual and environmental factors that are known to affect participation in sport such as age, gender, region, household income and education level. According to the Institute’s most recently published Physical Activity and Sport Survey (2024), 27% of Canadian adults report participating in sport.[1] According to our most current data, looking at sport participation among children and youth, approximately 68% of 5 to 17 year olds participated in sport in 2022.[2] A more in depth look into sport participation and associated factors is available by selecting ‘adults’ or ‘children and youth’.

  • [1] Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute. Custom analysis, 2024
  • [2] Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute. Custom analysis, 2024

Adults

The 2024 Physical Activity and Sport Survey asked Canadians whether they participated in sport in the last year.

Children and Youth

The 2022 Physical Activity Monitor asked parents about whether their child has participated in sport in the past 12 months.

Sport participation, Adults (18+ years), 2024 Physical Activity and Sport survey

Facts and Figures

Sport participation by gender

In 2024, a gender difference was noted, whereby significantly more men than women reported participating in sport (36% vs. 19% respectively). This gender difference has generally persisted over time.