European Commission Survey: Europeans Exercise More But Inequality Persists
A Eurobarometer survey showed that Europeans generally engage in more sports, but inequalities based on income, age, and education persist.
A new Eurobarometer survey by the European Commission revealed an increase in Europeans' physical activity and sports habits compared to 2022. However, clear inequalities in sports participation rates between countries and socioeconomic groups remain.
General Sports Habits and Trends
The European Commission's Eurobarometer survey on sports reveals that Europeans are generally doing more sports compared to 2022. Nearly half of the respondents stated that they exercise or engage in sports every day or several times a week. Meanwhile, the proportion of those saying they never exercise dropped from 45 percent to 39 percent.
Participation Rates by Country
Finland and Denmark lead in daily exercise, with 59 percent of respondents in both countries stating they play sports several times a week. At the other end of the scale, 68 percent of respondents in Portugal said they never exercise, followed by Greece and Romania with 66 percent.
Health Benefits of Sports Participation
Protecting physical health, relaxation, and enhancing mental well-being stand out as the reasons people exercise. Almost all participants believe that being active improves mental health, while the majority also think it strengthens communities.
Barriers to Exercise
For those who cannot exercise as much as they want, the biggest obstacle is a lack of time, cited by 37 percent of Europeans. Twenty-six percent cite a lack of motivation, 15 percent health problems, and 12 percent cost as an important factor.
Impact of Education and Income Level
Education level and financial situation are closely linked to sports participation. While 59 percent of those who continued their education until the age of 20 stated they exercise several times a week, this rate drops to 23 percent among those who left education at 15. Among those struggling to pay their bills, the rate of never exercising rises to 54 percent.
Distribution by Age Groups
Age difference stands out as a very prominent factor in sports participation. While nearly three-quarters of those aged 15-24 state they exercise at least several times a week, this rate remains at only 25 percent among those aged 75 and over.
Active Transport and Walking Rates
The frequency of physical activities done for other purposes, such as transportation or gardening, was also examined. The rate of those actively commuting to work rose from 24 percent to 37 percent. The percentage of citizens stating they walk for at least 10 minutes reached 72 percent.