The Economic Cost of Physical Inactivity

How a lack of physical activity raises the risk of disease, the costs to health systems and economies, and policies that encourage active living.

Regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, some cancers and depression. Yet many people around the world do not get enough exercise.

The scale

The World Health Organization estimated in 2024 that around 31 percent of adults worldwide, about 1.8 billion people, did not meet recommended levels of physical activity, and that the share had been rising. In India, surveys have found high levels of inactivity, especially among women and in cities.

The costs

The WHO’s 2022 Global Status Report on Physical Activity estimated that if physical inactivity levels did not change, almost 500 million new cases of preventable non-communicable diseases would occur between 2020 and 2030, costing health systems around 27 billion dollars a year, or around 300 billion dollars over the decade.

Beyond health spending, inactivity reduces productivity through illness and early death.

Why people are less active

Sedentary jobs in offices and services.
Motorised transport replacing walking and cycling.
Screen time.
Urban design with few safe spaces for walking, cycling or play.
Time pressures and long commutes.

Policies that help

Active transport: safe footpaths, cycle lanes and public transport encourage walking and cycling.
Parks and open spaces.
School sports and physical education.
Workplace programmes.
Campaigns, such as India’s Fit India Movement, launched in 2019.

Accessibility

Physical activity programmes should be accessible to disabled people, including blind people, through adapted sports, guided running, accessible gyms and safe walking routes. Blind cricket and other adapted sports have grown in India and elsewhere.

A safer route to school

A city builds safe footpaths and crossings near schools. More children walk or cycle to school instead of being driven. They get daily exercise, traffic near schools falls, and air quality improves. A transport investment becomes a health investment.

Thinking exercise is only a personal choice

How active people are depends heavily on their environment: safe streets, parks, transport options and time. Public policy can make active living easier for everyone.

Key takeaways

Around 31 percent of adults worldwide do not get enough physical activity, the WHO estimated.
Inactivity raises the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancers and depression.
The WHO estimated inactivity could cost health systems around 27 billion dollars a year.
Active transport, parks, school sports and accessible programmes encourage activity.