The percentage of those who never exercise in Cyprus fell to 31%. Lack of time remains the most frequent obstacle to more exercise.
More Cypriots say they exercise often compared to the European Union average, yet fewer walk at least ten consecutive minutes on most days of the week.
This is recorded by the Special Eurobarometer on sport and physical activity.
According to the published results, 31% of respondents in Cyprus answered that they do not exercise or never do a sport, compared to 39% in the EU.
This is a decrease of 15 percentage points in Cyprus compared to 2022, when the corresponding percentage was 46%. In the EU, it fell by six points, from 45% to 39%.
In Cyprus, 14% say they exercise almost daily and 41% several times a week. The corresponding percentages in the EU are 9% and 38%. Overall, 55% report frequent exercise in Cyprus, compared to 47% in the EU.
But when the question is about walking, the picture is reversed. 56% of respondents in Cyprus report walking for at least ten consecutive minutes four to seven days a week, compared to 72% in the EU. In addition, 12% in Cyprus say they never walk for ten consecutive minutes, compared to 4% in the EU. The survey records the frequency of this activity, not the total distance travelled by respondents.
A difference is also recorded in the time of a sedentary lifestyle. In Cyprus, 21% say they typically spend eight hours and 30 minutes or more sitting during the day, compared to the European average of 12%.
For respondents who exercise or have other physical activity, relaxation is a particularly common motivation in Cyprus: 62% report it, compared to 39% in the EU. Improving or maintaining physical health is reported by 55% in Cyprus and 44% in the EU.
Lack of time is the most common reason that prevents respondents from exercising more regularly, with 45% in Cyprus and 37% in the EU. The cost is reported at 14% in Cyprus, compared to 12% in the European average.
In the rest of Europe, the picture varies significantly from country to country. Although the percentage of those who say they never play sports has fallen to 39% at EU level, Portugal records 68%, while Greece and Romania are at 66%.
In contrast, Finland and Denmark have high rates of frequent exercise: 21% and 20% exercise almost daily, respectively, while in each of the two countries an additional 59% exercise several times a week.
The survey in Cyprus was conducted from 14 April to 3 May 2026 and included 504 interviews. A total of 26,421 interviews were conducted across the EU.
