Report on health: Scanty individuals maintain a balanced lifestyle
In a recent report titled "How Healthy Does Germany Live?" by the German Health Insurance (DKV) 2025, key statistics on healthy lifestyle habits in Germany have been revealed.
Nutrition
The report indicates that only 34% of Germans eat healthily, which is a concern as a healthy eating style is considered achieved if at least 20 out of a total of 30 possible points are reached.
Exercise
While 68% of Germans meet the recommended physical activity levels in general, the picture is less rosy when it comes to muscle-strengthening activities. Only 34% meet the recommendations, and just 32% meet the combined recommendations for endurance and muscle activity. Moreover, only about 17% of Germans fulfill older, stricter criteria for a healthy lifestyle including sufficient exercise.
Sedentary Behavior
Germans are sitting for a record average of 10 hours a day, which is a significant health risk. About 77% of people sit too much, indicating high levels of sedentary behavior.
Alcohol Consumption
The report does not provide specific data on alcohol consumption. For a detailed assessment of alcohol consumption statistics, the original DKV report or supplementary sources would need to be consulted.
Overall Health
Only 2% of Germans achieve all health benchmarks, meaning very few live a fully healthy lifestyle according to the combined criteria assessed. Additionally, 41% of the population report not feeling well regarding subjective well-being.
Well-being
Subjective well-being is lower for younger adults (30-45 years: 49% report positive well-being) and higher among older adults (74% of over 66-year-olds).
These figures highlight significant challenges in nutrition, exercise, excessive sitting, and overall well-being, suggesting that while physical activity levels are better fulfilled, balanced healthy lifestyles including nutrition and muscle training remain low in Germany.
The surveys for the report were conducted in February and March 2025. The report on the German population's health lifestyle was created in collaboration with the German Sports University Cologne and the University of Würzburg.
Here's a summary table of key data from the DKV Report 2025:
| Aspect | Statistic | |------------------------|----------------------------------| | Healthy eating | 34% | | Physical activity | 68% meet endurance recommendations | | Muscle strength training | 34% meet recommendations | | Combined activity | 32% meet combined endurance + muscle | | Sedentary behavior | 10 hours/day sitting; 77% sit too much | | Fully healthy lifestyle| 2% | | Poor subjective well-being | 41% |
The report also found that women eat healthier compared to men, and men exercise more often. However, the percentage of all respondents who meet the recommendations for minimum endurance activity and twice-weekly muscle training is 32%. Nearly one in five people barely move at all in their leisure time and on transportation routes.
Only 30% of those who sit for at least eight hours a day compensate for it by exercising for an hour or more. More than two-thirds (68%) of respondents are physically active enough to gain health benefits, according to Ingo Froböse.
Approximately 2% of the German population meets the criteria for a healthy lifestyle, as per the report. This is a decrease from the last survey in 2023, which was 9%. Only one in five (approximately 20%) manages to handle stress in a healthy way on a daily basis.
[1] DKV Report 2025 [2] Statista [3] Deutsche Welle [5] German Health Insurance (DKV)
Science - The findings in the DKV Report 2025, a collaboration with the German Sports University Cologne and the University of Würzburg, provide key statistics on healthy lifestyle habits in Germany.
Fitness-and-Exercise - While 68% of Germans meet the recommended physical activity levels, only 34% meet the recommendations for muscle-strengthening activities, which is a concern, as balanced healthy lifestyles, including physical activity and nutrition, remain low in Germany.
Mental-Health and Workplace-Wellness - The report also indicates that only one in five Germans (approximately 20%) manages to handle stress in a healthy way on a daily basis, which highlights the importance of promoting mental health and well-being in the workplace.
