Young women in Denmark aged 16 to 29 are increasingly participating in sports associations, according to a recent survey by the Sports Analysis Institute (IDAN). This positive trend highlights the growing appeal of sports communities for young women in the country.

The survey reveals that the most significant increase in participation is among women aged 25 to 29. The proportion of association-active women in this age group rose from 28 percent in 2016 to 36 percent in 2024. Similarly, the 20 to 24-year-old age group saw an increase from 33 percent to 40 percent, and the 16 to 19-year-old group experienced a rise from 47 percent to 50 percent.

Frans Hammer, Deputy Chairman of the Danish Sports Confederation (DIF), expressed his satisfaction with this development, particularly in an era of increasing digitalization. He believes that physical communities play a crucial role in this context. Hammer emphasizes that the growing participation reflects the sports associations’ improved focus on exercise and community rather than solely on competition and results.

The increase in participation spans various sports, including individual activities like dance, gymnastics, running, and strength training, as well as team sports such as handball and football. Ball games are particularly favored among the 20 to 29-year-old demographic.

Despite this positive trend, a gender gap persists, with fewer young women participating in sports associations compared to their male counterparts. Hammer acknowledges the need for continued efforts to address this disparity. He notes that girls are more likely to drop out of sports during their teenage years due to an overemphasis on competition and dissatisfaction with training methods. He also added that there is awareness of how to better accommodate girls as teenagers to minimize drop out.