Brussels, July 25, 2024 — New statistics from Statbel, Belgium’s federal office of statistics, in collaboration with Eurostat, reveal that Belgians exhibit a higher engagement in sports events compared to the European average.
The data, released on Wednesday, highlights Belgium’s prominent position among European nations for sports event attendance in 2022.
According to the report, over a quarter of Belgians aged 16 and above attended at least one sports event in 2022. This statistic places Belgium ahead of several European countries including France, Italy, and Spain.
The gender disparity is also notable, with around 19% of women and more than 32% of men engaging in sports competitions throughout the year.
The report identifies Ireland as the nation with the highest sports event attendance, with nearly 40% of its population participating.
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Belgium follow closely behind, showcasing a significant regional interest in sports.
In terms of frequent attendance, nearly 14% of Belgians attended a sports competition at least four times during the year.
This figure places Belgium in the top five among European countries, trailing only behind the Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, and Sweden in terms of regular sports event participation.
However, the report also notes a potential caveat to these statistics. The Covid-19 pandemic, which saw significant restrictions and limitations on public gatherings, might have influenced the attendance figures.
The pandemic’s impact on sports events and public engagement during this period cannot be discounted, as it may have affected overall participation rates.
The enthusiasm for sports in Belgium reflects a broader cultural trend, with Belgian sports fans showing a strong commitment to attending live events.
This high level of engagement underscores the importance of sports in Belgian society and highlights the country’s vibrant sporting culture.
Statbel’s data provides a valuable insight into the sports engagement landscape in Europe, offering a comparative perspective on how different nations participate in and support sporting events.
The findings also emphasize Belgium’s active sports culture and its position as a leading nation in sports event attendance.
As Europe continues to recover and adapt from the effects of the pandemic, these statistics offer a snapshot of how sports engagement has evolved and highlight the enduring passion for sports across the continent.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
