The Relationship between Inequalities in Household Sports Consumption Expenditures and Income Level

Abstract

Inequalities in income, wealth, quality of life, health and education are an intensively researched field of economics. In this study, we examine the inequality in sports expenditures of Hungarian households. We hypothesize that the development of income inequalities will also correlate significantly to inequalities in sports consumption, and this trend has been intensifying over the past two decades. The research is based on the Household Budget Survey database of Hungarian households for the period 2005–2017. The net income conditions of the population and the sports expenditure items recorded on the basis of the COICOP nomenclature are examined by income decile. Data is analysed using descriptive statistics, inequality indicators and correlation calculations. Aggregate household expenditures on passive sports consumption show a stagnant trend, while aggregate expenditures on active sports consumption follow a slightly upward trend among the Hungarian population. Inequality indicators show growing inequalities in terms of income and sports expenditure over the reviewed period. Income inequality and sports spending inequality move together. The Hungarian population is becoming polarised in terms of both income and level of sports expenditure.