It is still boys who do the most sports in Sweden. But the declining number of club athletic children is also most noticeable among boys, according to the Center for Sport Research, Cif, in a new study.

Cif has calculated the number of training sessions per capita and year in different age groups; boys 7-12, girls 7-12, boys 13-16, girls 13-16, boys 17-20 and girls 17-20 years.

The biggest loss is among boys 7-12 years, where the number of training sessions per capita has decreased by 12 percent from the highest listing, in 2012. On average, this group trains 43.2 times / year.

- There are no answers yet as to why club sports are declining among the youngest. However, we know that many young people are already moving too little today. In the long run, the decline can be a problem for both Swedish sports and public health. If the trend persists, there is reason to be worried, says Johan R Norberg to Cif's website.

Decreases most in the countryside

Sports are decreasing more in rural areas than in cities. In 233 out of 290 municipalities, the number of sports events is decreasing and the municipalities where it is decreasing the most are the small ones.

- We have seen in the past that sports are particularly strong in rich municipalities but weaker in places where income and educational level are lower. The development reflects that relationship, says Johan R Norberg.

The survey only applies to club sports, so children can play in other ways without being seen in the statistics.