Welcome record in the payment of leisure grants

A grant that changes the game for many

In total, the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður paid out just over 177.6 million krónur in leisure grants last year. Each child who received the grant received on average just over 45,500 krónur. The grant amount was just over 174 million the previous year. The grant amount is now 4,750 krónur per month.

In 2024, a total of 3,901 children were paid for, out of the 5,487 who are eligible. The grant was therefore utilised by 71% children. The majority of ten-year-olds, or nearly 87%, receive the leisure grant, but this number decreases with age, and only just over 28% claim it by the age of 18.

Positive progress with the exercise

The rules for leisure grants have changed and developed since they were first introduced. On 8 February 2023, the Education Committee agreed to lower the age limit for purchasing gym membership from 16 to 14. This led to a positive development, with 14-year-olds and older making increasing use of the grant.

Leisure time grants are paid to slightly more boys than girls, and the gap has widened. In 2019, 84 million went to boys and 75 million to girls. Last year, the figures were 100 million for boys and 78 million for girls. Now, it's up to parents to look around and nudge those who don't know the system, even the newest residents of the town. Children love almost all exercise.

A grant for children which goes to the associations

Looking at where the grants went, based on the children's participation, we can see that FH received almost 54 million, as they have the most members receiving grants, Haukar 46 million and Björk 12 million króna. Other clubs received everything from 2.3 to 9.4 million, up to the highest recipients.

Yes, sport is flourishing in Hafnarfjörður, and the town encourages all parents to see if there is room for their children to take up sport and get fit.