2016 FIFPRO GLOBAL EMPLOYMENT REPORT

26 TOP FINDINGS
8
Top finding
YOUNG PLAYERS
NEED PROTECTION
Youngsters are the most vulnerable
in the football economy
THE FINDINGS OF THIS REPORT SUGGEST THAT IN A VARIETY OF WAYS THE YOUNGEST PLAYERS (IDENTIFIED
IN THE TWO LOWEST AGE GROUPS MEASURED, UNDER-18 AND 18-23) FACE THE SAME AND, IN SOME
AREAS, EVEN WORSE ADVERSE EFFECTS THAN OLDER PLAYERS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE VAST MAJORITY
OF YOUNG AND MINOR PLAYERS SACRIFICE THEIR TERTIARY OR EVEN THEIR SECONDARY EDUCATION TO
PURSUE THEIR DREAM OF BECOMING A FOOTBALLER.
THE MATCH AND COMPETITION CALENDAR ALSO POSE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FOR YOUNG TALENTS.
HOWEVER, ONLY A SMALL MINORITY SUCCEED IN THEIR AMBITIONS AND ARE OFTEN ILL-EQUIPPED FOR
A CAREER OUTSIDE OF FOOTBALL.
ALMOST 72% OF THOSE QUESTIONED HAD NOT COMPLETED EDUCATION BEYOND
HIGH-SCHOOL, WITH 10% NOT EVEN STAYING IN EDUCATION BEYOND PRIMARY SCHOOL
Given the severe employment risks described in this
report, missing out on their education is an enormous
risk for the long-term professional development
of players. For many this decision never pays off.
That those surveyed had at least made it into the
professional game must also be taken into account;
a huge number of aspiring players making similar
sacrifices never make the grade in professional football.
EDUCATION DEMOGRAPHICS
2016 Football
Employment Report