A recent Eurobarometer survey revealed that Portugal has the lowest rate of sports participation in the European Union. According to the survey, 68% of Portuguese citizens claim to never engage in physical activity, which is significantly higher than the EU average of 39%. This makes Portugal the country with the lowest sports participation rate in the EU. The survey also found that only 4% of Portuguese citizens engage in daily physical activity, which is the lowest rate in the EU.
The survey also explored the reasons behind the low sports participation rate in Portugal. The main reasons cited were lack of motivation (39%), lack of time due to work, school, or family commitments (31%), and health problems (11%). The survey also found that certain demographics were less likely to engage in physical activity. For example, men over 75 years old were the least likely to engage in sports, with 95% claiming to never do so. Similarly, men between 65 and 74 years old, women over 75 years old, and men between 55 and 64 years old also had low rates of sports participation.
However, the survey also found that there were some positive trends in Portugal. Compared to the previous Eurobarometer survey conducted in 2022, there was a slight increase in sports participation in Portugal. The percentage of citizens who claimed to never engage in physical activity decreased by five percentage points, from 73% to 68%. Additionally, the percentage of citizens who engaged in physical activity several times a week increased by six percentage points, from 18% to 24%.
The survey also found that Portugal was one of the EU countries where the population perceived the most benefits from physical activity. A significant majority of Portuguese citizens (98%) believed that physical activity contributed to improved mental health, while 93% believed it was important for developing a sense of community, and 88% believed it contributed to the well-being of marginalized groups. These rates were all above the EU average.
In contrast to Portugal, some EU countries had much higher rates of sports participation. The Netherlands, Denmark, and Lithuania were the top three countries in terms of sports participation, with 92%, 88%, and 85% of citizens respectively engaging in physical activity daily or several times a week. These countries had significantly higher rates of sports participation compared to Portugal.
The European Commission released a statement in light of the Eurobarometer survey, highlighting the overall increase in sports participation in the EU. According to the Commission, there was a six percentage point increase in the percentage of citizens who engaged in physical activity several times a week, from 30% to 36%. Additionally, the percentage of citizens who never engaged in physical activity decreased from 45% to 39%. The Commission attributed this trend to increased awareness of the benefits of physical activity.
The Eurobarometer survey was conducted between April 9 and May 4, and involved interviews with 26,421 European citizens, including 1,031 Portuguese citizens. The survey's findings were released on the eve of the European Week of Sport, an initiative launched by the European Commission to encourage Europeans to engage in more physical activity. The survey's results highlight the need for increased efforts to promote sports participation in Portugal and other EU countries.
Key points
- Portugal has the lowest rate of sports participation in the EU, with 68% of its population claiming to never engage in physical activity.
- The main reasons for low sports participation in Portugal were lack of motivation, lack of time, and health problems.
- Despite having a low rate of sports participation, Portugal saw a slight increase in physical activity between 2022 and 2023.
