Based on Sport Ireland’s Irish Sports Monitor report for 2023, almost two million adults play sports on a weekly basis.
Regular participation rates have increased from 40% at the height of the Covid-19 epidemic in 2021 to 47% currently.
The gender gap in participation is currently the lowest it has ever been, at less than 3%. Women now make up 46% of all weekly participants in sports, up from 49% of males.
Both the younger and older age groups have shown a rise in the levels.
The gap in involvement between socioeconomic categories has also shrunk to its lowest point since the outbreak.
Participation in team sports increased, with football (+4%) and Gaelic football (+3%) seeing the highest increases.
The most popular category was personal exercise (17%), which included attending the gym and taking fitness classes. Swimming (8%), running (7%), and cycling (5%), in order of popularity.
“The 2023 ISM report offers invaluable insights into Ireland’s sports participation and physical activity levels,” stated Dr Una May, CEO of Sport Ireland.
“I would like to acknowledge the Government, our national governing bodies, and local sports partnerships, clubs, coaches, officials, volunteers and participants for their commitment to promoting sport in all its forms.”
The study also discovered that in 2023, there was a rise in social involvement metrics such as club membership, volunteer work, and event attendance.
Volunteering and club membership numbers are below pre-pandemic highs from 2019.
The primary reasons given for quitting sports were work responsibilities (27%), injuries (26%), and family obligations (24%).
In terms of weekly adult involvement, 60% is the goal by 2027.
