Sports for People and Planet 2026

Preventive healthcare expenditure as a share of total health spending, selected countries/regionsFIGURE 15 Top five barriers people face to practising sport as much as they would like to (% of respondents)FIGURE 160 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 1005.9% 94.1% 5.5% 94.5% 97.1% 98.0% 98.2%2.9% 2.0% 1.8%Canada European Union Japan AustraliaUnited States Preventive healthcare Rest of healthcare public spending 18% 17% 13% 13%2021, 29 countries surveyed Lack of time Lack of money Weather is too hot/too cold Lack of facilities where I live Lack of people I know to play with37% would like to do more sport 1.5 hours more time per week spent by men vs. women on physical activity 58%Source: Eurostat, Health System Tracker, World Economic Forum analysis Source: IPSOSAs fiscal priorities shift towards acute healthcare, defence and crisis response, funding for prevention and community sport initiatives risks further erosion.37 Demand is also constrained by persistent socioeconomic and cultural barriers. A global survey in 2021 found that while over half of individuals wish to engage in more physical activity, they face obstacles including a lack of time, financial limitations, inadequate facilities and unfavourable weather conditions.38 Participation gaps further constrain growth potential. Girls and women comprise only 37% of sport participants in the EU,39 rising to 40% in the US40 and 45% in Canada.41 People with disabilities are twice as likely to be inactive,42 with limited opportunities for engagement, training and competition, inadequate accessible transport and a widespread lack of understanding and awareness of inclusive practices.43 Without deliberate intervention to close these gaps, the sports economy risks perpetuating structural exclusion and forfeiting significant future growth opportunities. Sports for People and Planet 18