EU Youth Reported Higher Physical Activity Rates in 2025
Data from 2025 showed that 73.1% of young Europeans engaged in physical activity outside of their professional work.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Fitness
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Eurostat findings for 2025 indicate that youth aged 16-29 are significantly more active than the broader European Union population. While 73.1% of young people exercised at least once a week, only 61.6% of the total population aged 16 and over met that same frequency.
Why it matters
These statistics highlight a significant age-based disparity in exercise habits across the European Union. Understanding these differences helps health officials identify demographics that may require targeted physical activity interventions.
In 2025, 18.3% of young people exercised 4-6 times weekly compared to 12.8% of the total population. Meanwhile, 20.9% of youth reported daily physical activity, edging out the 20.2% reported by the total population.
The players
Eurostat
Eurostat is the statistical office of the European Union that provides high-quality statistics for Europe.
The details
Data collection efforts segmented physical activity habits by age, gender, and country of residence to evaluate non-work exercise patterns. Findings revealed that while young men were more active at high frequencies, 17.8% of young women reported no activity, compared to 14.9% of their male counterparts.
Timeline
The data reflects physical activity participation captured throughout 2025.
The Big Picture
This report follows the trend established by the Eurostat physical activity source dataset in characterizing regional health habits.
These trends suggest that while youth generally maintain active lifestyles, significant portions of the population remain sedentary. Individuals should focus on establishing consistent exercise routines, as regional inactivity rates indicate that environmental and social factors play a large role in health outcomes.
The takeaway
Maintaining physical activity outside of the workplace is a key indicator of long-term health, yet participation varies drastically by country and gender. Establishing a habit of exercising at least once a week can significantly improve personal health metrics compared to sedentary peers.
Further reading
For more on trends in exercise, explore the Fitness section.
More information
View the complete Eurostat physical activity source dataset for detailed country-level breakdowns.
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Is physical activity among young people in your community trending in the right direction?
