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Sport is quietly becoming a peace tool UN data says it reached 60 million youth
International
Published on 16 May 2026
UN-backed sports programs reached 60 million youth
In conflict zones and developing regions, sport is emerging as an unexpectedly effective peace and development channel, according to the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP). Its programmes have reached over 60 million youth. The article argues the impact is measurable: investing $1 in sport-based youth development in fragile states can generate about $3.8 in social and economic value. It links sport to SDG gains across health, education, gender equality, inclusion, and reduced violence.
- UNOSDP says sport programmes reached over 60 million youth
- Commonwealth Secretariat estimates $1 yields about $3.8 value in fragile states
- Physical inactivity costs the global economy $54B in healthcare spending and $14B in lost productivity
- UNESCO research cites up to 40% cognitive gains from regular physical activity
- Women’s Olympic participation rose from under 30% in 1992 to nearly 49% at Paris 2024
- Community sport in post-conflict areas is linked to lower inter-communal violence
Read the full story at Republic
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
Republic