New figures illustrate impact of investing in physical activity

Every £1 spent on community sport and physical activity generates over £4 for the English economy and society. 

That’s the headline finding of new analysis by the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University and Manchester Metropolitan University. 

The analysis, which we commissioned and you can download below, reveals the combined social and economic value of community sport and physical activity in England in 2022/23 was £148 billion. 

And the combined financial and non-financial investment in community sport and physical activity for the same period was £35 billion. 

The return on investment of £4.20 for every £1 spent, which updates our previous research published in 2020, further illustrates the significant benefits of investing in community sport and physical activity. 

Tim Hollingsworth, our chief executive, said: “These latest figures are a positive and compelling reminder of why we must continue to invest in getting and keeping our nation more active.

“Community sport and physical activity has a crucial role to play in growing our economy, building stronger communities and making us all healthier and happier.

“This report, along with the social value research we published last year, can help local authorities, businesses and the voluntary sector to understand the value of promoting activity.” 

The economic and social value figure of £148 billion incorporates findings on economic productivity (gross value added) from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) Sport Satellite Account. 

Investment in physical activity can improve people’s wellbeing, reduce preventable illness and provide the opportunity to cut health inequalities – one of the government’s five missions. 

Read more about the research