- £200m investment needed just to maintain 2025 provision
- Demand for accessible and inclusive facilities set to rise as London’s over-65 population grows by 25%
Population growth and demographic change will place increasing pressure on London’s sport and physical activity facilities over the next decade, according to new analysis from London Sport.
For the first time, London Sport has modelled how demographic change between 2025 and 2035 will reshape demand for sport and physical activity facilities across the capital.
The analysis shows that investment is essential simply to maintain current levels of provision in the face of changing demand in the capital. In fact, the cost to maintain 2025 provision across London overall exceeds £200m. London will need 288 additional sport and physical activity facilities to support a population projected to grow by more than 400,000 people over the next decade.
London’s population is not only growing, but ageing. The number of residents aged 65 and over is projected to increase by 25% by 2035.
London’s challenge is not just population growth, but changing demand.
Our research shows this shift will reshape the type of facilities and services needed in the future, with growing demand for accessible, inclusive and health-focused spaces that support people to remain active for longer.
Around half of Londoners aged 65 and over are expected to be living with multiple long-term health conditions by 2035.
At the same time, declining numbers of children and young people in some boroughs (10% decline across London) risk creating a false impression of reduced demand, potentially leading to the loss of facilities that will still be critical to London’s overall capacity.
The research highlights that some of the greatest pressure will fall on boroughs that already have some of the lowest levels of provision.
In Newham, home of the London 2012 Olympic Games, facility provision ranks among the lowest in the capital. Tower Hamlets, one of England’s most deprived local authority areas, is projected to experience population growth well above the London average (7.9% v 4.4%) despite already limited provision.
Without action, inequalities in access to physical activity facilities could deepen further over the next decade, alongside wider health inequalities.
Emily Robinson, CEO of London Sport, said:
“London’s population is growing and ageing, and the way people access physical activity is changing with it. Without action now, the communities already underserved by sport and physical activity facilities risk falling even further behind.
Our research shows there is no surplus capacity in London’s system – only shifting need. As demand changes across the capital, we must ensure facilities, services and investment change with it.
This is not just about sport. It’s about public health, preventing widening inequalities and ensuring every Londoner has the opportunity to live an active and healthy life”.
London Sport is calling for:
- Protection of existing facilities;
- Investment in new facilities where need is greatest;
- Better use of school and community spaces;
- Greater collaboration between sport, health and planning sectors;
- Facilities and services designed to meet the needs of an ageing population.
Decisions made now will determine whether the capital’s sport and physical activity infrastructure can meet the needs of its future population.
ENDS
Media contact: Alex Mitchell
[email protected]
07508806488
The full research report can be accessed here.
Notes to editors:
London Sport is a not-for-profit organisation helping all Londoners live longer, healthier and happier lives through being active.
Part of a national network, we champion physical activity in London’s most deprived communities, sharing insights, influencing decision makers and allocating funding to effect change.
In some parts of the capital, people live 12 years longer in good health than others. With physical inactivity being one of the leading risk factors for preventable ill health, we want to help every Londoner find their way to move more.
