Special EUROBAROMETER 213 “Citizens of the European Union and sport”
The analysis of the results by country presents significant differences in opinion from one Member State to another. Two thirds of Cypriots (66%) and more than half of Maltese (56%) and Portuguese respondents (50%) defend their choice due to a lack of time while this is only the case for about 20% of Eastern Germans (21%), Austrians (21%) and Finns (18%). The results for lack of interest in sport vary across countries. This reason is cited by about 30% of Germans (33%), Italians (31%), Austrians (30%) and Swedes (30%). Very few Slovenes (11%) and Cypriots (8%) never do any sports due to lack of interest. On the other hand, neither the fee nor the absence of suitable facilities seems to be significant barriers in European Union member States: respectively, only 4% and 3% of respondents cite these as a major reason for the lack of sport in their lives. The analysis of results by socio-demographic characteristics shows us, logically, that lack of time is more often mentioned by the most active categories in society. - The 25-39 years old along with the self-employed or people who have a higher level of studies most often cite lack of time as justifying their lack of sports activity (61% and 62%). - Also, the analysis by size of household shows the influence family constraints have on the practice of sports: a majority of those who lives in a “family context” and mainly in households of 4 or more members (54%) confirms not to have enough time to play a sport.
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