Northern Ireland: leading sports & physical activities in 2020, by participation
Sport participation stays constant in Northern Ireland
The overall participation levels in sport in Northern Ireland stay constant. In 2019, approximately 56 percent of the population participated in some type of physical activity or sport, the same proportion throughout the past decade, only with minor fluctuations throughout. The most common barriers of participating are a lack of time available, a medical condition or simply being uninterested or untrained.
Age groups
The share of the population who participate in sports on a monthly basis is highest among 16 to 24 year olds and becomes lower as the age increases with 60 percent between 16 and 24 being physically active at least monthly and 20 percent of people 65 and over. The share of people who are physically active on every day of the week has significantly decreased in people 55 years and older over recent years.