The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) today welcomed the publication of the World Economic Forum’s Sports for People and Planet Insight Report, presenting the first comprehensive market sizing of the global sports economy.
Currently valued at $2.3 trillion annually, the global sports economy is projected to grow to $3.7 trillion by 2030 and $8.8 trillion by 2050. Making up a quarter of this number is the sporting goods industry, valued at $614 billion.
Produced in collaboration with knowledge partner Oliver Wyman, the report highlights physical activity as a powerful yet under-leveraged driver of long-term economic resilience, public health and sustainable growth.
Physical inactivity a multifaceted risk
However, the report warns that the combined impacts of physical inactivity, climate change and nature loss significantly threaten long-term growth across the global sports economy, estimating that the sporting goods industry risks losing $168 billion in projected revenue alone by 2030.
According to the World Health Organisation, if current trends persist, global physical inactivity rates among adults are projected to rise to 35% by 2030, which the report estimates would result in up to 800 million fewer active people worldwide than previously anticipated.
Industry challenges and opportunities
Despite strong evidence that sport, physical activity and movement reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases, government spending on preventive healthcare remains low relative to the scale of inactivity-related health costs and is under further threat due to increased spending on defence and crisis response.
Between 2020 and 2030, inactivity is projected to cost global healthcare systems approximately $300 billion, while preventive health spending – including investment in physical activity – accounts for less than 6% of total health expenditure across major economies.
While this trend presents a clear challenge, the report emphasises that it also represents a major economic opportunity. The report positions sport, physical activity and movement as forms of preventive medicine, noting their potential to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases, improve workforce productivity and support more resilient economies over the long term.
Gaps in sports and activity participation are identified as a source of untapped growth. In the European Union, women and girls account for just 37% of sports participation, signalling significant potential to expand engagement and strengthen the future consumer base of the sports economy.
The report also highlights the role of cities and built environments in shaping participation, noting that access to safe, inclusive and climate-resilient spaces is critical to increasing sport, physical activity and movement at scale:
‘Environmental degradation discourages physical activity, while less active populations are more susceptible to climate-related health impacts.
As cities generate around 80% of global GDP and house the majority of the world’s population, the design of urban environments – including proximity to facilities, active transport infrastructure and access to natural spaces – is increasingly recognised as a determinant of both public health and economic productivity.
The role of the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry and its Members
WFSGI is recognised in the report for its collaboration with the World Health Organisation to promote sport, physical activity and movement globally, reflecting the federation’s role at the intersection of industry, health and sustainability.
Emma Zwiebler, WFSGI CEO, says: “This report reinforces what our industry increasingly understands: physical activity and movement is not only a public health priority, it is an economic enabler and critical to the future growth of the global sports economy. When participation grows, the benefits extend across healthcare systems, productivity, inclusion and long-term industry growth.”
“It’s clear that healthier populations and more resilient environments expand markets rather than shrink them. The opportunity now is to scale what works,” Zwiebler added. “By aligning industry action, ESG initiatives and public investment, sport, physical activity and movement can play a far greater role in delivering healthier societies and more resilient economic growth.”
The WFSGI looks forward to continued collaboration with the World Economic Forum and partners beyond Davos to help translate insight into action and unlock the full potential of the global sports economy.
The full report is available to read and download via the World Economic Forum website.
