The economic importance of sport 1998 to 2016

This research provides an update on the economic impact of sport in Scotland.  Data is provided on consumer expenditure, employment and value added.  We commissioned the Sport Industry Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University to carry out the research.  The latest report is based on the 2016 data and makes comparisons with data from 1998 to 2014.

2024

New data has been published on the economic impact of sport for Scotland and the UK. sportscotland commissioned this along with Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), UK Sport and the other home country sports councils. 

Results for Scotland show that in 2021 sport directly contributed:

  • £6.7billion (2.44%) to the total output of the Scottish economy.
  • £3.8billion gross value added (GVA) to the Scottish economy, 2.53% of total GVA.
  • 69,380 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs, 3.37% of total Scottish FTE.

Full report and key findings available on DCMS website. 

1998 to 2016

1998 to 2014

1998-2012

1998-2010

1998-2008

2004

2001

Date published: 27 June 2023
Date updated: 13 August 2025

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