Romania reports low physical activity levels compared to EU average

According to Eurobarometer data collected in April 2026, 66% of Romanians report that they never engage in sports or physical exercise, a figure significantly higher than the European Union average of 39%.

Only 7% of respondents in Romania exercise daily, compared to 9% across the EU. While 16% of Romanians exercise several times a week, this is much lower than the EU average of 38%. However, Romanians walk more frequently than the European average, with 78% walking at least 10 minutes four to seven days a week.

For those who do remain active, the home is the primary location for exercise (50%), whereas parks (29%) and fitness centers (10%) are used less frequently than in the rest of the EU. Key barriers to physical activity in Romania include lack of time (35%), lack of motivation (19%), and inadequate local infrastructure (15%), the latter being more than double the EU average of 7%.