Background data

No.

Indicator (HTML-version in German)

Summary of results

6.1

Sport clubs and associations

Overall membership in the roughly 20'000 Swiss sport clubs amounts to about 1.5 million persons (about 2.2 million memberships). The slight decrease in membership figures over the past few years has recently been stopped, and clubs remain the single most important suppliers of sports opportunities in Switzerland. In addition, the decrease in membership figures does not affect all clubs and associations equally - some "modern" sports are growing at a considerable rate.

6.2

Private sport providers

Over the past 20 years, private fitness centers have become important providers of sport opportunities. Currently, about 14 percent of the Swiss population hold a fitness center membership.

6.3

Spaces and areas for physical activity

Apart from the formal sports infrastructure, general areas (forests, meadows etc.) suitable for physical activity and sports are also of importance. Currently, about a third of the Swiss surface can be classified as "recreational".

6.4

Cantonal and local sports facilities concepts

Currently, only four Swiss cantons have a formal sports facilities concept; in a further three cantons such a concept is under discussion.

6.5

International sport organisations and federations in Switzerland

Currently, a total of 62 international sport organisations and federations have their headquarters in Switzerland (the most important being the IOC and FIFA). This number has increased over the past few years.

6.6

Women in leadership positions in sport

Women are clearly underrepresented in leadership positions in sport. Even though the situation has improved slightly since the early 2000s, women only hold about 10 percent of all leadership positions in sport (as opposed to having a share of about a third of all members of sports clubs and associations).

6.7

Perception of sport and attitudes towards sport

Several recent studies suggest that the image of sport is very good in Switzerland. As a result, a vast majoriy of the Swiss population supports the promotion of sport and physical activity.

6.8

Sport and the media

Sports play an imporant and increasing role in the Swiss media. In 2005, sports in the media generated a business volume of about 430 million Swiss Francs.