Prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18+ in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18+ was 21.9% in 2022. ▼ Falling
Prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18+ in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2000–2022
Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
Analysis
In 2022, prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18+ in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland stood at 21.9%. That is the lowest value across all 23 years on record.
The figure is down 3.1% on the previous year and down 26.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18+ in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 40.0% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 21.9%, in 2022.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 121st of 194 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 23 years of available data.
Prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18+ in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 40.0% | — |
| 2001 | 39.3% | -1.8% |
| 2002 | 38.5% | -1.9% |
| 2003 | 37.7% | -2.1% |
| 2004 | 36.9% | -2.2% |
| 2005 | 36.1% | -2.3% |
| 2006 | 35.2% | -2.4% |
| 2007 | 34.3% | -2.5% |
| 2008 | 33.5% | -2.6% |
| 2009 | 32.6% | -2.7% |
| 2010 | 31.7% | -2.8% |
| 2011 | 30.8% | -2.9% |
| 2012 | 29.8% | -3.0% |
| 2013 | 28.9% | -3.0% |
| 2014 | 28.1% | -3.0% |
| 2015 | 27.2% | -3.0% |
| 2016 | 26.4% | -3.0% |
| 2017 | 25.6% | -3.0% |
| 2018 | 24.8% | -3.0% |
| 2019 | 24.1% | -3.0% |
| 2020 | 23.3% | -3.1% |
| 2021 | 22.6% | -3.2% |
| 2022 | 21.9% | -3.1% |
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's 21.9% is below the median for high income countries, which is 33.1%, 66% of the median. (63 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's 21.9% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 26.2%, 84% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 36.4% | 32.6% | 40.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 27.7% | 24.1% | 31.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 22.6% | 21.9% | 23.3% | 3 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- 118 Maldives 22.6% compare
- 119 Ecuador 22.5% compare
- 120 Switzerland 21.9% compare
- 122 Bolivia, Plurinational State of 21.3% compare
- 123 Saint Lucia 21.1% compare
- 124 Myanmar 21.1% compare
More health data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.71 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.0265 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,134 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 461 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.7128 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0247 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -0.7724 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18+ in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18+ in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 21.9% in 2022, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
- What is the highest prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18+ recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 40.0% in 2000.
- What is the lowest prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18+ recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.9% in 2022.
- How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18+?
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 121st out of 194 countries with data for 2022.
- Is prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18+ rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 26.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as part of Prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults aged 18+ years (crude estimate) (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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