Adolescence is a critical period for establishing lifelong healthy habits, including regular physical activity. Engaging in sufficient physical activity during childhood and adolescence has numerous health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health, better cognitive function and reduced risk of obesity and chronic diseases later in life (OECD/WHO, 2023[1]).
Despite the well-known benefits of physical activity, many adolescents in EU countries do not meet the WHO recommended levels of at least 60 minutes of moderate‑to-vigorous physical activity per day. On average, only 22% of 11‑year‑olds and 15% of 15‑year‑olds reported meeting these guidelines in 2022. This proportion was highest in Finland, Ireland and Hungary, while it was lowest in Italy, Lithuania and France, where fewer than one sixth of all 11‑ and 15‑year‑olds met the recommendation. There is a notable gender gap in physical activity levels among adolescents, with boys consistently more active than girls across all EU countries. The difference was especially pronounced among 15‑year‑olds, with 20% of boys meeting the WHO guidelines in 2022, compared to only 10% of girls (Rakić et al., 2024[2]) (Figure 4.16). On average across EU countries, the proportion of children doing moderate‑to-vigorous physical activity every day has remained relatively constant among both boys and girls between 2010 and 2022. There has been a marginal decline among 11‑ and 13‑year‑olds being accompanied by a small increase among 15‑year‑olds, but 15‑year‑olds remain less physically active than younger school-aged children (Figure 4.17).
The effect of the COVID‑19 pandemic and related lockdowns on levels of physical activity among children and adolescents remains unclear. While some studies reported a decline in physical activity, others found that the amount of physical activity did not change significantly (Kovacs et al., 2022[3]). However, studies examining the type of physical activity found a shift towards less intensive activities such as walking and cycling. This may explain the decline in cardiorespiratory fitness documented in some countries since the outbreak (Jurak et al., 2021[4]; Jarnig, Jaunig and Van Poppel, 2021[5]).
To tackle the issue of insufficient physical activity among adolescents, EU countries are implementing a range of policies and initiatives. School-based interventions, such as mandatory physical education classes and active school breaks, play a crucial role in promoting physical activity. Community-based programmes that provide accessible and affordable opportunities for sports and recreation are also essential. Public awareness campaigns that emphasise the benefits of an active lifestyle can help to shift social norms and encourage more adolescents to engage in regular physical activity. In addition, EU countries are focusing on promoting active transport, such as walking and cycling, by improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, implementing safe routes to school initiatives, and promoting bike‑sharing schemes (OECD/WHO, 2023[1]).
Finland's "Schools on the Move" programme, launched in 2010 and now adopted by over 90% of Finnish municipalities, exemplifies a successful national initiative to increase physical activity among adolescents. By providing tailored support and resources, the programme encourages physical activity during school hours, promotes active commuting and fosters a more physically active culture (Schools on the Move, 2024[6]). The programme’s success is reflected in the consistently high shares of physical activity among adolescents in Finland compared to other EU countries.
