Young women aged 16 to 29 are increasingly becoming or remaining members of sports clubs in the country. This is according to a survey published on Saturday by the Sports Analysis Institute (IDAN).
The survey indicates a notable increase in sports club activity among women aged 25-29. From 2016 to 2024, the proportion of association-active women in this age group rose from 28% to 36%.
The trend extends to other age groups as well. Among women aged 20-24, the proportion increased from 33% to 40%, and for 16-19 year olds, membership in sports clubs rose from 47% to 50%.
Frans Hammer, Deputy Chairman of the Danish Sports Confederation (DIF), expressed satisfaction with the trend, particularly in light of increasing digitization, where he believes physical communities have gained importance.
DIF, along with its affiliated special associations and sports, has worked to reduce competition and expand exercise opportunities. Hammer noted that Danes are increasingly interested in outdoor activities and nature-based exercise.
DIF has focused on lowering barriers to entry in various sports, such as experimenting with smaller rinks in ice hockey and softer balls in handball. The increase in participation has been observed in both individual sports like dance, gymnastics, running, and strength training, as well as ball games such as handball and football, with the latter being particularly popular among 20-29 year olds.
Hammer suggested that the desire to disconnect from screens may also contribute to the increase in young women joining sports clubs. He emphasized the value of “analog community” in sports clubs, where phones are less prevalent.
Despite the growth, there is still a gender gap in sports club participation, with fewer young women involved compared to young men. Hammer emphasized the need for continued focus on this area, as girls are more likely to drop out of sports due to a focus on competition and dissatisfaction with training. Young women often discontinue their participation when starting boarding school or youth education, only returning after having children.