Hong Kong’s sports and related activities generated HK$46 billion in economic value added in 2024 and employed approximately 84,000 people, according to reports citing figures from the Census and Statistics Department. The sector’s value added represented about 1.5% of the city’s GDP or total output, while its workforce accounted for 2.3% of total employment.
i-CABLE News reported that the sector’s value added increased by approximately 4.5% year on year. The report did not provide the underlying 2023 value used for that calculation.
RTHK reported that the operation of sports facilities and clubs, including sports education, accounted for 35% of total value added and employed 39,000 people, or 47% of the sector’s workforce. Manufacturing and trade in sports-related goods accounted for 20% of value added and employed 16,000 people, equivalent to 19% of the sector workforce.
Sports tourism, including retail, accommodation, and food and beverage services for visitors attending or competing in local events, accounted for 5% of value added and supported approximately 6,000 jobs, or 7% of sector employment, RTHK reported.
i-CABLE used a different description of the sector’s largest category, saying sports support services — including sports-facility construction and gambling activities — accounted for 39% of total value added and employed 23,000 people. The supplied reports do not establish whether the difference reflects classification boundaries or a reporting discrepancy.
RTHK separately reported that sports and related activities contributed HK$70 billion to GDP at market prices, equivalent to 2.2% of the total. It said that share was 0.1 percentage point lower than in 2023, but the reports did not explain how this measure differs from the HK$46 billion value-added figure.
DAB lawmaker Vincent Cheng said the 2024 figures might not fully capture the economic benefits of Kai Tak Sports Park, which opened in 2025. He called for support for small and medium-sized enterprises, the promotion of sports tourism and systematic talent development. No specific economic impact for the park was provided.