According to the latest Eurostat data, employment in the sports sector across the European Union grew by 6.5% between 2023 and 2024, reaching 1.6 million people and accounting for 0.8% of total EU employment. This marks the third consecutive year of growth, driven by the post-pandemic recovery of the sports industry and the increasing demand for fitness, wellness, and recreational activities across Europe.
In 2024, 22 EU countries recorded employment growth, with Croatia (+26.5%), Slovakia (+24.0%), and Lithuania (+22.7%) showing the highest gains. By contrast, Romania (-25.0%), Luxembourg (-12.0%) and Austria (-11.6%) experienced declines, reflecting disparities between Member States.

A notable feature is the strong presence of young workers: 36.8% of those employed are aged 15-29, which is more than double the proportion seen in overall employment. Meanwhile, the proportion of workers with tertiary education has steadily increased over the years, climbing from about 28.5% in 2011 to 40.7% in 2024. Men represent 56.3% of the workforce, though in countries such as Sweden and the Netherlands, women even slightly outnumber men. However, despite progress in some countries, the gender gap in sport employment has widened since 2011.

This sustained growth in sport employment highlights the sector’s increasing importance for the EU’s economy, its role in fostering youth employment, and its contribution to the well-being of European citizens.