1. National Survey for Wales 2017/18
Swimming
National Survey for Wales 2017/18

2. Headline Results – National Survey 2017/18
Swimming remains one of the most popular activities for adults
15% of adults participate in swimming (indoor or outdoor): 378,000
Indoor Swimming (13%): 317,000 / Outdoor Swimming (4%): 102,000
Previously 14% (increase in outdoor)
20% of adults have a demand to do more swimming: 485,000
Indoor Swimming (16%): 402,000 / Outdoor Swimming (7%): 163,000
Frequency of participation indoor swimming:
None: 2,170,000/ Less than once a week: 198,000 / Once or twice a week: 101,000 / Three or more times a week: 18,000

3. Swimming Participation – Gender and Age
Females are more likely to participate in indoor swimming than males (15% female, 11% male).  Males are more likely to participate in outdoor swimming than females (5% and 3% respectively).
In general, participation rates in indoor swimming are highest for younger adults and decline with age (16 to 34: 19%, 35 to 44: 13%, 65+:  5%).
Trend over time: % (F 13% M 10%), % (F 18% M 14%), % (F 17% M 14%).  New survey in 2016 (new baseline, no trend).

4. Swimming – Long term illness, disability or infirmity
Almost half of adults have a long standing illness, disability or infirmity (46%).
Adults with a long term illness, disability or infirmity have a lower rate of participation in swimming (11%).
35% of adults who swim have a long term illness, disability or infirmity. 
34% of adults have a limiting long standing illness, disability or infirmity.
A lower percentage of adults participate in swimming if they have a limiting long standing illness, disability or infirmity (10%).
23% of adults who swim have a limiting long standing illness, disability or infirmity.

5. Swimming Demand – Gender and Age
More females have a latent demand for indoor swimming than males 
Indoor F:19%, M:13% . 
Outdoor F:7%, M:6%(*).  
Demand for indoor swimming is lower for those ages 65 and over: 
   16-34*: 18%, 35-64*: 19%, and 65+:8%.  

6. Participation and Demand for Swimming
(indoor/outdoor)
No Demand
Demand
Participation
286,000
(Prev 276,000)
88,000
(Prev 74,000)
No Participation
1,688,000 
(Prev 1,733,000)
395,000
(Prev 356,000)
No Demand
Demand
Participation (at least once a week)
109,052
19,959
Participation (less than once a week
166,717
53,224
No Participation
1,733,398
356,232

7. Swimming – Sport Wales Regions
There is no significant difference in participation or demand by Sport Wales region.
Swimming
Participation
Latent Demand
North Wales*
14%
19%
Mid Wales*
16%
South Wales Central*
South East Wales*
23%
WALES
15%
20%
Participation in indoor swimming is above average for adults: 
With a child in full time education: 19%
Using Welsh language in everyday life: 17%
In employment: 15%
Living in in South Wales Central: 14%
In built up areas at least 100,000 people: 13%

8. Swimming – Sport Wales Regions
...BUT this does not mean there is not a difference in terms of numbers! 
Swimming
Participation
Latent Demand
North Wales*
78,000
103,000
Mid Wales*
118,000
139,000
South Wales Central*
105,000
138,000
South East Wales*
76,000
104,000
WALES
378,000
485,000
Participation in indoor swimming is above average for adults: 
With a child in full time education: 19%
Using Welsh language in everyday life: 17%
In employment: 15%
Living in in South Wales Central: 14%
In built up areas at least 100,000 people: 13%

9. Notes:
All results contain a margin of error due to the survey being based on a sample of the population. 
Results that contain a (*) are not statistically different from one another.
Where population results are published they have been rounded to the nearest thousand.