Estimated Soccer Participation Population for Teenagers is Approximately 2.37 Million; Over 20% Participation Rate Maintained Annually Since 2001 Survey
Key facts
- Estimated Soccer Participation Population for Teenagers is Approximately 2.37 Million; Over 20% Participation Rate Maintained Annually Since 2001 Survey
- According to a survey by the Sasakawa Sports Foundation, the soccer participation rate for teenagers aged 10-19 was 22.1% at least once a year in 2025, with an estimated population of 2.37 million. This participation rate has been maintained above 20% since the survey began in 2001, with particularly high participation rates observed in the elementary school age group.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 11, 2026
Direct answer
According to a survey by the Sasakawa Sports Foundation, the soccer participation rate for teenagers aged 10-19 was 22.1% at least once a year in 2025, with an estimated population of 2.37 million. This participation rate has been maintained above 20% since the survey began in 2001, with particularly high participation rates observed in the elementary school age group.
- Citation
- Estimated Soccer Participation Population for Teenagers is Approximately 2.37 Million; Over 20% Participation Rate Maintained Annually Since 2001 Survey (June 11, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 11, 2026
According to a survey by the Sasakawa Sports Foundation, the soccer participation rate for teenagers aged 10-19 was 22.1% at least once a year in 2025, with an estimated population of 2.37 million. This participation rate has been maintained above 20% since the survey began in 2001, with particularly high participation rates observed in the elementary school age group.
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- 📰 Published: June 11, 2026 at 19:30
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The Sasakawa Sports Foundation (SSF), which promotes "Sports for Everyone" (Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Kazutoshi Watanabe), has been investigating and clarifying the current status of sports participation frequency, duration, and intensity among children and adolescents in Japan every two years.
In the latest 2025 survey ("Children and Youth Sports Life Data 2025," announced on April 9, 2026), the participation rate in soccer at least once a year for teenagers was 22.1%, with an estimated population of 2.37 million. The participation rate of once a week or more was 12.4%, with an estimated population of 1.33 million.
Official Website (Soccer Population for Teenagers)
【Key Survey Findings】
Participation Rate in Soccer (at least once a year): Overall 22.1%, Males 35.8%, Females 8.0%
Estimated Soccer Participation Population (at least once a year): Overall 2.37 million, Males 1.97 million, Females 0.42 million
Participation Rate by Age Group: Elementary school age (10-11 years old) highest at 32.1%
Participation Rate in Soccer (once a week or more): Overall 12.4%, Males 22.0%, Females 2.5%
Estimated Soccer Participation Population (once a week or more): Overall 1.33 million, Males 1.21 million, Females 0.13 million
【Detailed Main Survey Results】
■ Trends in Estimated Soccer Participation Population and Participation Rate (at least once a year, 2001-2025): Overall and by Gender (10-19 years old)
In 2025, the participation rate of at least once a year was 22.1% overall, 35.8% for males, and 8.0% for females. Looking at the annual trends, the overall rate increased from 24.7% in 2001, the start of the survey, to 31.1% in 2013, and then remained flat until 2017. Since 2019, the rate has been on a declining trend but has remained above 20% in all survey years.
By gender, males showed a gradual increasing trend from 2001 to 2013, but began to decline after 2015. In 2025, the rate was 35.8%, a decrease of 5.1 percentage points from 40.9% in 2023. The participation rate for females has shown a gradual downward trend since peaking at 12.0% in 2017.
Table 1. Trends in Estimated Soccer Participation Population and Participation Rate (at least once a year, 2001-2025): Overall and by Gender (10-19 years old)
Source: Compiled from the Sasakawa Sports Foundation's "Survey Report on Children and Youth Sports Life" (2001-2025)
Note 1) Estimated population is calculated by multiplying the 10-19 year old population from the Basic Resident Register by the participation rate (%).
Note 2) Due to rounding in the calculation of estimated values, the total population may not always match the sum of male and female populations.
■ Trends in Soccer Participation Rate (at least once a year, 2001-2025): By Gender and Age Group (10-19 years old)
Looking at participation rates by age group, the 2025 rate was highest for elementary school age (10-11 years old) at 32.1%, followed by junior high school age (12-14 years old) at 22.2%, high school age (15-17 years old) at 17.5%, and university age (18-19 years old) at 11.0%.
By gender and age group, the participation rate for males in the elementary school age group has been higher than in other age groups in all survey years. For females, the participation rate in the elementary school age group is generally high in most survey years, and decreases with age. There is a significant gender gap in soccer participation rates; in the elementary school age group in 2025, males exceeded females by 36.2 percentage points, and differences of about 20-30 percentage points were observed in the junior high school age group and above.
Table 2. Trends in Soccer Participation Rate (at least once a year, 2001-2025): By Gender and Age Group (10-19 years old)
Source: Compiled from the Sasakawa Sports Foundation's "Survey Report on Children and Youth Sports Life" (2001-2025)
■ Trends in Estimated Soccer Participation Population and Participation Rate (once a week or more, 2001-2025): Overall and by Gender (10-19 years old)
In 2025, the participation rate of once a week or more was 12.4% overall, 22.0% for males, and 2.5% for females. Looking at the annual trends by gender, males increased from 2001 to 2013 and then remained flat in the high 20% range until 2019. Since 2019, the trend has been declining. The participation rate for females has gradually increased from 1.4% in 2001 and has remained relatively flat at around 3% since 2013.
The estimated population was 1.33 million overall, 1.21 million for males, and 0.13 million for females. Since 2001, the number of people who regularly participate in soccer has been maintained at over 1.2 million.
Table 3. Trends in Soccer Participation Rate (once a week or more, 2001-2025): Overall and by Gender (10-19 years old)
Source: Compiled from the Sasakawa Sports Foundation's "Survey Report on Children and Youth Sports Life" (2001-2025)
Note 1) Estimated population is calculated by multiplying the 10-19 year old population from the Basic Resident Register by the participation rate (%).
Note 2) Due to rounding in the calculation of estimated values, the total population may not always match the sum of male and female populations.
【Overview of the "Children and Youth Sports Life Data 2025" Survey】
Survey Items: Exercise and sports participation status, sports facilities, sports clubs and teams, lessons, sports spectating, sports volunteering, favorite athletes, health awareness and lifestyle habits, physical activity, personal attributes, etc.
Survey Target: 2,400 people aged 4-11 / 3,000 people aged 12-21 residing in municipalities nationwide.
Survey Method: Self-administered questionnaire survey using the drop-off and pick-up method (individual interview method used concurrently for ages 4-11).
Valid Responses (Rate): 1,320 (55.0%) for ages 4-11 / 1,438 (47.9%) for ages 12-21.
Survey Period: June 28 - July 23, 2025.
* "Children and Youth Sports Life Data 2025" was announced on April 9, 2026.
Children and Youth Sports Life Data
Sasakawa Sports Foundation: "A Sports Think Tank in Action"
The Sasakawa Sports Foundation is a specialized think tank in the sports field promoting "Sports for Everyone." It contributes to solving social issues through sports by formulating recommendations for national and local government sports policies, conducting research and surveys on sports promotion, collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data, and engaging in joint practical research with local governments.
Chairman: Kazutoshi Watanabe
Address: 3F, The Nippon Foundation Bldg., 1-2-2 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052
Established: March 1991
Objective: Promotion of "Sports for Everyone"
Business Activities:
- Research and surveys for the promotion of lifelong sports
- Collaborative projects with lifelong sports promotion organizations
- Public relations activities for the promotion of lifelong sports
URL: https://www.ssf.or.jp/
In the latest 2025 survey ("Children and Youth Sports Life Data 2025," announced on April 9, 2026), the participation rate in soccer at least once a year for teenagers was 22.1%, with an estimated population of 2.37 million. The participation rate of once a week or more was 12.4%, with an estimated population of 1.33 million.
Official Website (Soccer Population for Teenagers)
【Key Survey Findings】
Participation Rate in Soccer (at least once a year): Overall 22.1%, Males 35.8%, Females 8.0%
Estimated Soccer Participation Population (at least once a year): Overall 2.37 million, Males 1.97 million, Females 0.42 million
Participation Rate by Age Group: Elementary school age (10-11 years old) highest at 32.1%
Participation Rate in Soccer (once a week or more): Overall 12.4%, Males 22.0%, Females 2.5%
Estimated Soccer Participation Population (once a week or more): Overall 1.33 million, Males 1.21 million, Females 0.13 million
【Detailed Main Survey Results】
■ Trends in Estimated Soccer Participation Population and Participation Rate (at least once a year, 2001-2025): Overall and by Gender (10-19 years old)
In 2025, the participation rate of at least once a year was 22.1% overall, 35.8% for males, and 8.0% for females. Looking at the annual trends, the overall rate increased from 24.7% in 2001, the start of the survey, to 31.1% in 2013, and then remained flat until 2017. Since 2019, the rate has been on a declining trend but has remained above 20% in all survey years.
By gender, males showed a gradual increasing trend from 2001 to 2013, but began to decline after 2015. In 2025, the rate was 35.8%, a decrease of 5.1 percentage points from 40.9% in 2023. The participation rate for females has shown a gradual downward trend since peaking at 12.0% in 2017.
Table 1. Trends in Estimated Soccer Participation Population and Participation Rate (at least once a year, 2001-2025): Overall and by Gender (10-19 years old)
Source: Compiled from the Sasakawa Sports Foundation's "Survey Report on Children and Youth Sports Life" (2001-2025)
Note 1) Estimated population is calculated by multiplying the 10-19 year old population from the Basic Resident Register by the participation rate (%).
Note 2) Due to rounding in the calculation of estimated values, the total population may not always match the sum of male and female populations.
■ Trends in Soccer Participation Rate (at least once a year, 2001-2025): By Gender and Age Group (10-19 years old)
Looking at participation rates by age group, the 2025 rate was highest for elementary school age (10-11 years old) at 32.1%, followed by junior high school age (12-14 years old) at 22.2%, high school age (15-17 years old) at 17.5%, and university age (18-19 years old) at 11.0%.
By gender and age group, the participation rate for males in the elementary school age group has been higher than in other age groups in all survey years. For females, the participation rate in the elementary school age group is generally high in most survey years, and decreases with age. There is a significant gender gap in soccer participation rates; in the elementary school age group in 2025, males exceeded females by 36.2 percentage points, and differences of about 20-30 percentage points were observed in the junior high school age group and above.
Table 2. Trends in Soccer Participation Rate (at least once a year, 2001-2025): By Gender and Age Group (10-19 years old)
Source: Compiled from the Sasakawa Sports Foundation's "Survey Report on Children and Youth Sports Life" (2001-2025)
■ Trends in Estimated Soccer Participation Population and Participation Rate (once a week or more, 2001-2025): Overall and by Gender (10-19 years old)
In 2025, the participation rate of once a week or more was 12.4% overall, 22.0% for males, and 2.5% for females. Looking at the annual trends by gender, males increased from 2001 to 2013 and then remained flat in the high 20% range until 2019. Since 2019, the trend has been declining. The participation rate for females has gradually increased from 1.4% in 2001 and has remained relatively flat at around 3% since 2013.
The estimated population was 1.33 million overall, 1.21 million for males, and 0.13 million for females. Since 2001, the number of people who regularly participate in soccer has been maintained at over 1.2 million.
Table 3. Trends in Soccer Participation Rate (once a week or more, 2001-2025): Overall and by Gender (10-19 years old)
Source: Compiled from the Sasakawa Sports Foundation's "Survey Report on Children and Youth Sports Life" (2001-2025)
Note 1) Estimated population is calculated by multiplying the 10-19 year old population from the Basic Resident Register by the participation rate (%).
Note 2) Due to rounding in the calculation of estimated values, the total population may not always match the sum of male and female populations.
【Overview of the "Children and Youth Sports Life Data 2025" Survey】
Survey Items: Exercise and sports participation status, sports facilities, sports clubs and teams, lessons, sports spectating, sports volunteering, favorite athletes, health awareness and lifestyle habits, physical activity, personal attributes, etc.
Survey Target: 2,400 people aged 4-11 / 3,000 people aged 12-21 residing in municipalities nationwide.
Survey Method: Self-administered questionnaire survey using the drop-off and pick-up method (individual interview method used concurrently for ages 4-11).
Valid Responses (Rate): 1,320 (55.0%) for ages 4-11 / 1,438 (47.9%) for ages 12-21.
Survey Period: June 28 - July 23, 2025.
* "Children and Youth Sports Life Data 2025" was announced on April 9, 2026.
Children and Youth Sports Life Data
Sasakawa Sports Foundation: "A Sports Think Tank in Action"
The Sasakawa Sports Foundation is a specialized think tank in the sports field promoting "Sports for Everyone." It contributes to solving social issues through sports by formulating recommendations for national and local government sports policies, conducting research and surveys on sports promotion, collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data, and engaging in joint practical research with local governments.
Chairman: Kazutoshi Watanabe
Address: 3F, The Nippon Foundation Bldg., 1-2-2 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052
Established: March 1991
Objective: Promotion of "Sports for Everyone"
Business Activities:
- Research and surveys for the promotion of lifelong sports
- Collaborative projects with lifelong sports promotion organizations
- Public relations activities for the promotion of lifelong sports
URL: https://www.ssf.or.jp/
FAQ
What is the age range of the survey participants?
The survey targets children aged 4-11 and youth aged 12-21. This article specifically focuses on data for ages 10-19.
How does soccer participation differ between males and females?
In the 2025 survey, the participation rate of at least once a year was 35.8% for males and 8.0% for females, indicating a significant difference.
How has soccer's popularity changed over the years?
The participation rate of teenagers playing soccer at least once a year has remained above 20% since 2001, showing relative stability. It peaked around 2013 and has slightly declined since then.
How are the survey results utilized?
Based on these findings, the Sasakawa Sports Foundation makes recommendations for national and local sports policies, conducts research on sports promotion, and disseminates data.
Where was the survey conducted?
The survey was conducted nationwide, targeting municipalities. The sample included 2,400 individuals aged 4-11 and 3,000 individuals aged 12-21.