Mapping of sport statistics and data in the EU Final report to the European Commission

Abstract

This study is the first in-depth mapping of statistics and data regarding the economic and social contribution of sport at both EU and national levels in the EU-27. The research identifies all available data sources and collects quantitative and qualitative data at EU and national levels represented by a series of indicators of the impact of sport on the economy and society. It covers data from the last available years, from 2012 until 2021. Based on this extensive mapping, the present report identifies the existent gaps and overlaps in the available data sets through a comparative analysis of the methodologies of data collection in use. It then provides policy recommendations to fill in the identified data gaps and further harmonise sport statistics in the EU-27. The report presents in detail the research findings: identified data gaps between information available at EU and national levels and possible ways towards an EU-wide harmonisation of sport statistics. Moreover, data collected for each EU Member State according to the raster of indicators is provided in the Annex 3 of the report in the format of 27 in-depth country statistical information files as well as an EU in-depth statistical information file is provided for the average figures compiled at EU-27 level. The Annex 2 equally provides 28 sport statistics and data fiches containing a summary of the main figures from each of the 28 in-depth statistical information files.