New global estimates from the World Health Organization, published in The Lancet Global Health, show that adolescent physical activity has changed little over the past 15 years. Data from the HBSC study made a substantial contribution to the analysis, which highlights persistent inequalities and the need for stronger action to create opportunities for young people to be active.
The research estimates that, in 2025, one in four adolescents aged 11–17 years worldwide, approximately 240 million young people, did not achieve at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on any day of the previous week.
Only 14% were estimated to reach this level of activity on all seven days, while the global average was 2.7 active days per week.
Despite growing recognition of the importance of physical activity for physical and mental health, the analysis found no detectable change in global activity levels between 2010 and 2025.
Girls continue to face significant inequalities
The findings reveal persistent differences in physical activity between girls and boys.
Globally, an estimated 28% of girls had no active days, compared with 22% of boys. Only 11% of girls reached the 60-minute threshold on all seven days, compared with 17% of boys.
Physical activity also varied substantially between countries, with the estimated proportion of adolescents reporting no active days ranging from around 4% in some countries to more than 40% in others.
Based on current trends, the researchers found that no country is on track to meet the global target of reducing adolescent physical inactivity by 15% by 2030, relative to 2010.
HBSC’s contribution to the global evidence
Published in The Lancet Global Health, the research brings together data from 389 population-based surveys conducted across 140 countries and territories, involving more than 3.2 million adolescents.
Of these 389 surveys, 171 came from HBSC, representing approximately 44% of the surveys included in the analysis.
HBSC researchers Professor Oddrun Samdal and Dr ZdenÄ›k HamÅ™Ãk contributed to the study’s design as members of the international steering group and are co-authors of the scientific publication.
The findings demonstrate the importance of sustained international research collaboration and the contribution of established survey networks such as HBSC to global health monitoring.
By providing comparable data collected over time, these networks help researchers identify inequalities, understand changes in adolescent health and provide evidence to inform policy decisions.
The researchers used statistical modelling to produce comparable estimates for 2010–2025, accounting for differences between surveys and gaps in data coverage.
Making physical activity accessible to all young people
The findings reinforce the importance of addressing the environments and circumstances that influence young people’s opportunities to be physically active.
These include access to safe public spaces, opportunities for physical activity at school, affordable recreational facilities, safe walking and cycling routes, and social and cultural barriers that can discourage participation.
WHO is calling for stronger, coordinated action across education, transport, urban planning, sport and health.
Particular attention is needed to reduce inequalities, address the barriers faced by girls and reach adolescents with the fewest opportunities to be active.
The findings also highlight the importance of involving young people in developing policies and programmes that reflect their needs and preferences.
Join the WHO global webinar
WHO will present the new estimates and discuss their implications for policy and practice at a global webinar on Friday 6 November 2026, from 13:00 to 14:30 CET (12:00 to 13:30 GMT).
The webinar will feature presentations by Dr Tessa Strain and Dr Fiona Bull, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Dr Chris van Tulleken.
Drawing on perspectives from schools, sport, urban design and active mobility, the discussion will explore practical approaches to helping adolescents become more active in their everyday lives.
Register for the WHO global webinar
Further information
Scientific publication
Strain T, Flaxman SR, Ricardo LIC, et al. (2026). National, regional, and global trends in adolescent physical activity from 2010 to 2025: a pooled analysis of 389 surveys with 3.2 million participants from 140 countries. The Lancet Global Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.langlo.2026.104099
WHO report
A generation missing out: Global trends in adolescent physical activity, 2010–2025.
WHO news release
One in four adolescents worldwide reported no active days in the previous week.
