The economic importance of sport

Reports below show the economic impact of sport in Scotland. Reports up to 2016 were based on the national income accounting basis. Reports from 2024 are based on a new agreed methodology across all UK home country sports councils and DCMS. This provides a consistent measure of economic impact that is comparable over time and across UK nations.     

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: 18 August 2025

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