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Gender Gaps in European Sport: The 2025 Reality
Gender Gaps in European Sport: The 2025 Reality
Persistent Participation Gap
Only 37% of women in the EU exercise or play sport weekly, compared to 45% of men.
Among youth (15-24), the gap widens: 75% of young men vs. 55% of young women participate weekly.
Limited Access and Recognition
Women and girls are just 31% of all sports federation members in Europe.
Participation drops sharply from youth to adulthood; in football, less than 10% of adult amateur players are women.
In some countries, women are still legally excluded from professional athlete status.
Gaps in Policy Implementation and Impact
Only 34% of sports organizations in Europe have implemented concrete gender equality policies.
Just 33% allocate dedicated funding for gender-based violence prevention.
Only 37% have victim support mechanisms in place.
Media Representation Disparity
Women’s sports receive less than 10% of all sports coverage in most European countries, sometimes as low as 2%.
Even where coverage is higher, it rarely exceeds 15% of total sports media content.
This lack of visibility limits recognition and support for female athletes.
Underrepresentation in Leadership
Only 12% of sports federations in Europe have a female President.
Just 29% have a female Vice-President or Board member.
Women make up only 23% of registered coaches and 32% of sports officials.
Stark Pay Inequality
Female footballers in Italy’s Serie A earn 34 times less than their male counterparts.
In 2023, not a single woman ranked among the world’s 100 best-paid athletes.
Men’s teams receive tens of millions more in prize money than women’s teams for the same achievements.
Underrepresentation in Leadership
Only 12% of sports federations in Europe have a female President.
Just 29% have a female Vice-President or Board member.
Women make up only 23% of registered coaches and 32% of sports officials.
Sports 4 All: #LeadTheChange is committed to closing these gaps and championing gender equality in sport. Join us to make a difference!
MISSION
MISSION
Promote gender equality in sports leadership, coaching, and officiating positions
Increase women's participation in sports at all levels
Combat gender stereotypes and discrimination in the sports ecosystem
Implement policies against gender-based violence in sports organizations
Advocate for balanced media coverage of women's sports
VISION
VISION
In the long term, Sports for All envisions a sports landscape where:
Gender-balanced leadership is the norm in sports organizations, resulting in improved outcomes
Women are equally represented in decision-making processes within sports clubs and federations
Young women are inspired to become athletes, breaking down gender stereotypes
Sports organizations have comprehensive policies to prevent gender-based violence
Media coverage of sports is equitable, promoting labor market gender equality
The sports ecosystem across Europe is inclusive, diverse, and free from gender-based discrimination
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only
and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) . Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.
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