Economic value of physical activity in schools revealed

New analysis released by children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust has placed an economic value on the critical importance of free-to-access school sport and physical activity for a child’s mental wellbeing for the first time.

Released during Mental Health Awareness Week, the analysis, conducted by social impact consultancy State of Life, shows the provision of access to free physical activity schools is worth at least £4.5 billion each year in improved life satisfaction, happiness and wellbeing amongst young people - and is likely to be double this.

The calculation is based on the Treasury-recommended measure of wellbeing (dubbed the WELLBY) which states that a plus one point movement in life satisfaction per annum is worth £13,000 in economic value.

By analysing the Sport England Active Lives Children and Young People data set, which measures levels of physical activity alongside positive attitudes, wellbeing, individual and community development and engagement in sport and physical activity, State of Life concluded that being physically active for half an hour a day in school has a +0.084 effect on happiness for year 3-6 children (age seven – 10) and a +0.149 effect on life satisfaction for year 7-11  (age 11-16) young people. 

According to the WELLBY value, these uplifts in happiness and life satisfaction are worth on average £1,100 per year for a primary aged child and £1,900 per year for a secondary aged child.

Ali Oliver MBE, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust said: “We know physically active children have better wellbeing and are in turn happier, healthier and do better in the classroom.

"This new report by the Youth Sport Trust and State of Life puts an economic value on just how significant the impact of being physically active at school is, and reminds us why protecting universal access to PE, school sport and a culture of movement in active and well schools is important to children’s education and development."