Economic Development & Leisure (DP IB Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Briley Habib
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Economic development and leisure
There is a positive correlation between economic development and participation in sports
As countries develop, there is a change in leisure activities
As a person’s income increases, a television is one of the first appliances people purchase
In newly emerging countries, people often work long hours, leaving little time to complete leisure activities
In HICs, leisure activities vary with age and stage in the family life cycle
Case Study: Saudi Arabia
Over two-thirds (67%) of Saudi Arabia’s population is under 35 years of age
To encourage more tourism Saudi Arabia now has an e-visa to simplify tourism
Saudi Arabia made sports a priority in 2016 as part of the 2030 Vision Programme
There are three main objectives of this vision
Achieve a 40% participation rate by encouraging engagement
Develop Saudi elite performance athletes at international competitions
Grow and empower the sports community
Saudi Arabia has invested $1.8billion in the sports industry
In 2019, Saudi Arabia spread awareness of more than 50 sports
Mass participation and activity levels have increased to 23% from 13% in 2015
Saudi Arabia is now home to 9 international sporting events, such as the WWE Super Showdown and Formula E
Saudi Arabia is undertaking the construction of a new $100 million Olympic village in the Kingdom’s capital, Riyadh
Saudi Arabia is constructing Qiddiya which:
Aims to position itself as a premier tourist destination, attracting visitors globally
Focuses on developing a range of tourism-specific attractions, such as theme parks, cultural experiences, and entertainment facilities
Seeks to contribute significantly to economic diversification by fostering tourism as an alternative to the oil industry
Aims to create a substantial number of jobs within the tourism industry, including roles in hospitality, travel, and entertainment
Aspires to be a hub for cultural and recreational tourism, offering diverse experiences that showcase Saudi culture and heritage
Engagement in Sport and Leisure in Saudi Arabia
Factor | Impact on engagement in sport and leisure |
|---|---|
Historical Constraints | Traditionally, Saudi Arabia had strict societal and cultural norms that limited women's participation in public sports and recreational activities Women faced legal and social restrictions. Their access to sports facilities and events was highly regulated |
Recent reforms | Saudi Arabia has implemented a series of reforms aimed at increasing women's participation in sports and leisure The government has introduced initiatives to encourage physical activity among women, recognizing the importance of sports for health and well-being |
Sports education and facilities | Efforts have been made to enhance sports education for women in schools and universities Sports facilities for women have been established, including dedicated gyms and sports clubs |
International participation | Saudi Arabia has started sending female athletes to international competitions, such as the Olympic Games |
Challenges and opportunities | Conservative attitudes and the need for continued cultural change remain Opportunities for women to engage in sports and leisure are expected to expand further with ongoing initiatives and reforms |
Case Study: USA
The USA has a population of over 331 million people
Participation rates in sports and leisure activities are high
In 2022, 95% of people engaged in sport or leisure activities on a daily basis
The rates of engagement are slightly higher for men than women
Engagement in physical activity has been at around 73% over the last two decades
There is a link between income and activity levels
People with incomes below $25,000 are less likely to engage in physical activities - 60%
People with higher income levels of over $75,000 are more likely to engage in physical activity - 80%
Engagement in Sport and Leisure in the USA
Factor | Impact on engagement in sport and leisure |
|---|---|
Leisure time increases | American adults have gained 4-9 extra hours per week of leisure time since the 1960s due to shorter working weeks |
Impact on Low-Wage Earners | Low-wage earners have experienced a more significant increase in leisure time |
Single-Person Households | In 2022, about 30% of households in the U.S. were single people |
High Wage vs. Low Wage Workers | High-wage workers may allocate a higher proportion of income to eating out, while the low-wage group is less likely to eat out The average American household spends $3,008 per year on dining out |
Income Inequality Growth | Income inequality has risen significantly, with the wealthiest 1% accounting for over 20% of wealth in 2010, compared to 1% in 1969 |
Black-White Income Gap | A median Black household income is 61% of median White household income in 2018 |
Ethnic Variation in Leisure Activities | Research has shown leisure activities show some ethnic variation, with differences likely tied to education and wealth 71% of whites, 60% of African Americans, and 56% of Hispanics reported playing video games |
Shift to Individualized Leisure | Team sports participation has declined, while jogging and health club attendance have increased, reflecting a shift towards more individualized leisure |
Student Leisure Habits | Students spend, on average, 15 hours per week watching television and about 5 hours per week participating in organized activities |
Changes in Facility Size | Cinemas and theatres are being replaced by multiplexes. Home TVs have increased in size. Online TV streaming has increased; e.g., Netflix had over 77 million subscribers in 2022 |
Evolution of leisure | In the 19th century, leisure was often at home and the 20th century saw a shift to cinemas, theatres, restaurants, and sports matches In the early 21st century, there is a trend towards more home-based leisure, such as online streaming services or hobbies COVID-19 saw an increase in leisure options being promoted, such as streaming exercise programmes |
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