Danes do more exercise than other EU nations

Country ranks second in a new Eurostat survey, lagging just a bit behind Finland

Lucie Rychla

A new Eurostat survey has found that, among the EU countries, Denmark has the second highest proportion of people who spent at least 2.5 hours per week exercising.

Some 53.4 percent of Danes aged over 18 spend at least 150 minutes each week doing some physical activities in their leisure time, including cycling as a form of transportation.

It is more than 23 percent above the EU average (29.9 percent).

Finland tops the EU comparison with 54.1 percent and Sweden ranks third (53.1 percent), while Romania (7.5 percent) and Bulgaria (9 percent) are at the bottom of the ranking.

READ MORE: Danes in rural areas not doing enough exercise

Part of Danish lifestyle
According to Henrik Brandt, the head of the sports analytical centre Idrættens Analyseinstitut, exercise is an inseparable part of the Danish lifestyle and the country has more sports facilities than other EU nations, including a large network of cycling paths.

The Eurostat survey has also found that nearly half (49.8 percent) of the EU population does not do any sport.

Men (34.5) exercise more than women (25.6 percent), and young and highly-educated people do more sports per week than older people or those with low level of education.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends adults aged 18–64 do at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity (such as brisk walking) per week to improve their cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, bone health, and reduce the risk of depression.

TOP STORIES

  • Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    In the internal Danish waters, Russia will be able to attack underwater infrastructure from all types of vessels. The target could be cables with data, electricity and gas, assesses the Danish Defense Intelligence Service

  • Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    A few weeks after Alex Vanopslagh’s comments about “right values,” the government announced that an expert committee would be established to examine the feasibility of screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic attitudes.

  • The Future Copenhagen

    The Future Copenhagen

    The municipality plan encompasses building 40,000 houses by 2036 in order to help drive real estate prices down. But this is not the only huge project that will change the shape of the city: Lynetteholmen, M5 metro line, the Eastern Ring Road, and Jernbanebyen will transform Copenhagen into something different from what we know today

  • It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    Many people in Denmark are facing hard times marked by sadness, anxiety, and apathy. It’s called winter depression, and it’s a widespread phenomenon during the cold months in Nordic countries.

  • Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime in Denmark is increasing for the second consecutive year, but it is more focused on property, while people appear to be safer than before. Over the past year, there were fewer incidents of violence

  • Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Despite Novo’s announcement that its growth abroad will be larger than in Denmark, the company announced this morning an 8.5 billion DKK investment for a new facility in Odense. This is the first time the company has established a new production site in Denmark this century.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs