Active Lives Survey shows England getting more active – but inequalities persist

The latest Active Lives Adult Survey from Sport England reveals a positive national picture: more adults than ever are meeting recommended activity levels, with participation continuing its steady post‑pandemic rise. 

Yet the data also makes one thing clear – progress is not being felt equally across all communities.

Between November 2024 and November 2025, 64.6% of adults in England – around 30.9 million people – achieved the Chief Medical Officers’ guideline of 150+ minutes of moderate activity each week.

This marks an increase of 859,000 adults compared to the previous year and builds on last year’s record participation milestone.

This growth reflects the collective efforts of organisations across the sport, health, and community sectors, including Active Partnerships, local clubs, fitness providers, and thousands of volunteers who make activity possible every day.

Who is being left behind?

Despite the encouraging national trend, the survey highlights persistent and deep‑rooted inequalities. 

Some groups remain significantly less likely to be active:

• People from lower socio‑economic backgrounds: only 53.8% active, compared to 73.2% of the most affluent
• Disabled people and those with long-term health conditions: 49.1% active
• Older adults, especially those aged 75+: just 44.3% active
• Black adults (57.2%) and Asian adults (56.3%), who remain less active than White adults
• Women (62.2%), who continue to be less active than men (67.3%)

The data also shows that inequalities compound – people facing multiple barriers are far less likely to be active than those facing none. 

The gap between the most and least deprived areas has widened over time, with more affluent communities seeing sustained growth while others fall further behind.

What activities are people choosing?

Walking for leisure remains England’s most popular activity, with 22.9 million adults taking part. 

Fitness activities continue their long-term rise, now reaching 15.3 million people, while running has seen a strong year, increasing by more than 500,000 participants.

Other trends include:

• Walking or cycling for travel: steady at 16.2 million
• Cycling for leisure: stabilising at 6.1 million
• Swimming (4.4 million) and team sports (3.5 million): still below pre-pandemic levels
• Volunteering: recovering slowly, with 10.9 million adults giving their time, though still below pre‑2020 levels

Activity and wellbeing: the link remains strong

The survey reinforces what the sector knows well: being active supports better physical and mental wellbeing. 

Adults who are active, as well as those who volunteer, report higher happiness, greater resilience, and stronger community connection.

Sector response

Andy Taylor, CEO of the Active Partnerships National Organisation, said: “It’s pleasing to see an increase in activity levels again this year. 

“This is thanks to incredibly hard work from across the sector and beyond, with partner organisations, including our 42 Active Partnerships, community groups, clubs, fitness providers, and millions of volunteers all working together to help people move more.

“Although the results today are positive, we also need to acknowledge that inequalities remain when it comes to activity.

“Where a person lives still has a huge impact on activity levels, which is why Sport England’s place expansion funding continues to be hugely significant, with Active Partnerships leading and working as part of more than 90 Place Partnerships, alongside local partners and communities, to ensure this vital investment reaches the places and people that need it the most, helping to level the playing field. 

“These continuing inequalities mean we must all remain focused on our mission to support everyone to move more, because as well as benefiting an individual’s physical and mental health, movement, physical activity and sport helps improve the nation’s health, wellbeing, and economic growth.”

Read the full report and local analysis

To explore the full findings, trends, and data tables, you can download the complete Active Lives Adult Survey report via the Sport England website.

Active Lives analysis in our Impact Report. 

Each year we include our active lives analysis in our impact report. To see the extract, click below.