The South East has a total population of over eight million and contains seven cities of over 100 000 inhabitants. The workforce is generally well-educated and it is the most prosperous region in the UK in terms of real household disposable income per capita. However, there are pockets of substantial deprivation within larger towns, along the coast and on the Isle of Wight.
The Region has strong local government which consists of seven county councils, 12 unitary authorities and 55 district or borough councils.
The importance of sport to the economy
74,900 people are employed in sports-related activities in the South East, some 2% of all employment in the region.
Sport generates £6.8bn in annual turnover and £1.9bn in annual value-added in the region. This accounts for about 1.5% of the region's economy.
Sport England has invested £179 million in 712 projects in the South East via the Community Capital Fund since the start of the National Lottery. Every pound invested was matched with additional funds.
The Awards for All small grants programme has supported 1,880 projects to a total of £6.6 million
Active Sports, Active Schools, and Active Communities have together seen investment of £2.6 million, again matched by external funds.
The Active Communities Development Fund has invested £650,000 in 23 projects across the region.
Sporting activity in the region
More people take part in sport in the South East than the national average. However, long working and commuting hours mean that many people do not participate in sport as often as people in other regions.
Around 863,000 people participate in organised sports clubs, which have an annual income of around £550 million.
There are many excellent multi-sport and single sport facilities in the Region, and these are relatively well used. Private sector provision of gyms and other facilities is important.
The natural resources of the Region, from the coast to the countryside, give many opportunities for people to take part in informal sport and physical active recreation.
Sporting champions based in the Region include: Ben Ainslie, Karen Pickering, Kelly Holmes, Steve Redgrave, Matthew Pinsent, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Tim Henman and Shirley Robertson.
The importance of sports tourism
'High-profile' sports events and other sport-related activities attract 450,000 people and £45 million into the region from elsewhere. Most of this comes from the UK. This is more than in most other English regions.
There are a large number of venues of national and international importance in the South East. This list includes Cowes and the Solent for sailing, the All England Jumping Course - Hickstead, the National Shooting Centre at Bisley, Ladies tennis at Eastbourne and rowing at Henley-on-Thames and more recently at Dorney Lake, Windsor.