Do investments in sport pay off: a systematic review and exploratory quasi meta-analysis of social return on investment in sport and physical activity – new co-authored study by Gergely Csurilla

Physical inactivity remains one of the most pressing global health concerns, contributing to millions of deaths each year and placing a considerable financial burden on public health systems through increased healthcare expenditure. Sport and physical activity have been recognised as effective tools for promoting health, strengthening social inclusion, and improving overall well-being. Traditional evaluation approaches, such as cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses, have helped demonstrate economic value but often fail to capture wider social outcomes. The Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework provides a more comprehensive approach by assessing the combined health, economic, and social value generated per unit of investment.

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