A ‘fully active India’ can boost GDP by up to Rs 15 trillion annually: report
Global sporting events like the Olympics inspire many people to take up a sport or integrate sports into their daily lives. However, statistics show that this is not the case for Indians.
According to the State of Sports and Physical Activity (SAPA) report by consulting firm Dalberg Advisors, about 155 million adults and 45 million adolescents in India are currently not meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) physical activity guidelines.
The report suggested that investments in SAPA will not only help India become a sporting nation but also increase GDP by over Rs 15 trillion annually. This includes preventing Rs 2.5 trillion ($30 billion) in productivity losses caused by fewer sick days and reduced presenteeism due to illness.
It stressed that lack of physical activity among Indians can harm the population in multiple ways. Therefore, playing sports should be encouraged even more these days.
Urgent need for participation in sports
The report, developed in collaboration with the Sports and Society Accelerator and supported by Omidyar Network India and the Ajit Isaac Foundation, highlights the urgent need for greater focus and participation in sports and physical activity. It highlights the benefits of physical activity and outlines ways to address the existing challenges.
In India, only 10 percent of adults participate in sports, and the number who do so regularly is probably even smaller. Although a higher percentage of adolescents (66 percent) participate regularly in sports, their choices are limited, with half of boys playing primarily cricket and far fewer participating in other sports.
The report also shows that urban women in India are the most affected by inactivity.
Urban women are 385 minutes less active per week than rural women and 249 minutes less than urban men. Several factors contribute to this disparity, including lack of infrastructure, safety concerns and limited access, which results in 20 percent fewer women participating in sports and physical activity in public spaces. Furthermore, misconceptions, such as the belief that SAPA is unsafe during menstruation and pregnancy, further exacerbate this gap.
Burden of non-communicable diseases due to inactivity is increasing
If India continues with the same regime, the country could face 200 million more adult cases of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), 45 million more obese adolescents and an increase in annual healthcare costs of over Rs 55 trillion by 2047 compared to current levels.
First publication: 04 Sep 2024 | 21:05 IST