Methods for analysing sports employment in Europe

Abstract

Data on sports employment are sparse in most European countries (and missing for some), being limited to one or two categories of national labour force surveys, and being combined in broad categories. The European Observatory on Sports Employment (EOSE), set up in 1996, seeks to improve this situation for both research and policy purposes. This paper focuses on the methods it used to gather more detailed data, with the support of the European Commission, DG X. The first step was to devise new classifications of sports activities and occupations, building on and expanding existing classifications: for the former NACE (Nomenclature of Economic Activities in the European Union), and the latter ISCO-88 (International Standard Classification of Occupations, 1988 revision). These are called, respectively, NEARS (Nomenclature Européenne des Activités économiques Sportives et en Relation avec le Sport) and NEORS (Nomenclature Européenne des Professions du Sport et en Relation avec le Sport). Some illustrative findings are included on the total numbers of activities and occupations and their change over the 1990s, and a comparison of the UK and France. Although such data can aid understanding of the European labour market, there are clear and marked national differences in history and structure.