The number of employees in the Sports Activities, Amusement and Recreation Activities sector in Canada showed significant growth from 2013 to 2019, peaking at 154.81 thousand jobs in 2019. However, the sector experienced a sharp decline in 2020, dropping by nearly 30%, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovery commenced in 2021 and the number of jobs nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels by 2022, but a slight decrease was observed in 2023, with the employment level standing at 141.69 thousand units.
Year-on-year variations from 2022 to 2023 showed a decrease of 4.48%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years exhibited an overall decline at -1.66%. The forecast from 2024 to 2028 suggests a modest growth trajectory, with an estimated CAGR of 0.36% and a total growth rate of 1.84% during this period.
Future trends to watch for include the sector’s recovery and stabilization post-COVID, potential impacts from increasing digitalization and virtual events, and the influence of government policies aimed at promoting health and wellness through recreational activities.
