According to Eurostat's 2020 data, EU households allocated an average of 1.2% of their total expenditure to sporting goods and services, with significant variations across countries. Ireland recorded the highest average expenditure, while Bulgaria reported the lowest. Higher-income households consistently spent more on sports-related items, with the top income quintile in several countries spending at least three times more than the average household. Additionally, households that spend more of their income on basic needs such as food and housing tend to spend less on sporting goods and services, reflecting the fact that families with tight budgets prioritise essentials over recreational items.