Socio-demographic patterns on sport participation in the European Union

Abstract

Studies and statistical analysis done before summarized socio-economic variables affects on sport participation. There is also a common believe about nationality also influence participants, generating a “geographical stratification” over EU. By the set analysis of five European countries, we will figure out how socio-demographic variables affects on sport participation in order to understand the gap between them. Literature review help to establish the main variables and defining what can be considered sport participation. Once terms are established, descriptive analysis among the countries reveal the main social dissimilarities which can be the cause of the participation levels differences. Nevertheless, results cannot trust just on descriptive analysis. Statistical models are more efficient and suitable for this kind of investigation. In this case, Logit (a non-lineal regression model) developed by SPSS have been used to understand and interpret the main reasons about what makes people do sport and why there are so much differences between countries. Statistical results from regression model show negative effect on sport participation: being female; aging; low education levels; low occupational status; low social class; living in rural area and big size of household