Sports: More than just a game

Release date: March 5, 2024
More information PDF version
Infographic: Sports: More than just a game
Description: Sports: More than just a game

In 2023, 55% of Canadians reported participating in at least one sport in the previous 12 months.

Men were more likely than women to participate in a sport.

  • Men: 62%
  • Women: 49%

Korean, Chinese and Arab Canadians were more likely than the overall Canadian population to participate in a sport.

  • Koreans: 62%
  • Chinese: 62%
  • Arabs: 60%

To each their own sport!

Swimming was the most popular sport among women, while cycling was most popular among men.

The most popular sport varied among the different racialized groups.


Table 1
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1 Most popular sport (appearing as column headers).
Most popular sport
West Asians, Koreans Swimming
Latin Americans Cycling
South Asian, Chinese, Blacks, Southeast Asians, Japanese Running
Arabs Soccer
Filipinos Basketball

Racialized non-immigrants (66%) were more likely than racialized immigrants (48%) to participate in a sport.

Health and fun were the top reasons for participating in sports among all population groups.

  • Physical health and fitness: 82%
  • Fun, recreation and relaxation: 70%
  • Mental health benefits: 65%

The sprint against time

Among both racialized women and men who said that they had not participated in sport in the previous 12 months, lack of time was the main reason given.


Table 2
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 2 Racialized individuals and Non-racialized and Indigenous individuals (appearing as column headers).
Racialized individuals Non-racialized and Indigenous individuals
No time 47% 27%
No interest 32% 37%
Cost 13% 10%
Access to facilities 4% 3%

Note: The data in this infographic are for the population aged 15 years and older.

Source: Statistics Canada, Survey Series on People and their Communities – Sport, Workplace Culture, Political Engagement and Shared Values, 2023.

More information

Note of appreciation

Canada owes the success of its statistical system to a long-standing partnership between Statistics Canada, the citizens of Canada, its businesses, governments and other institutions. Accurate and timely statistical information could not be produced without their continued co-operation and goodwill.

Standards of service to the public

Statistics Canada is committed to serving its clients in a prompt, reliable and courteous manner. To this end, the Agency has developed standards of service which its employees observe in serving its clients.

Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2024

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

Date modified: