People in Germany typically devote approximately 10 hours daily to sedentary activities
In a comprehensive study conducted by the German Health Insurance (DKV) in collaboration with the German Sports University Cologne and the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, it has been revealed that people in Germany spend more than 10 hours sitting each workday.
The survey, which was carried out across Germany in February and March 2025, involved around 2,800 individuals aged 18 and above. The study found that the average sitting time for a workday has increased from about 9 hours 58 minutes to 10 hours 13 minutes over a two-year period.
This extended sitting time is primarily due to an average of 3.5 hours spent sitting at work, 2.5 hours in front of the TV, and approximately 1.5 hours on a computer or tablet. Additionally, people spend an average of another 82 minutes sitting in their leisure time.
Commuting also contributes to the extended sitting duration, with an average of 80 minutes spent commuting each day.
The report, which was published in 2025, recommends about an hour of exercise a day to counteract the negative effects of long sitting times, particularly those exceeding eight hours. However, the study shows that only about 30% of those who sit a lot manage to compensate with sufficient physical activity, including exercising for an hour or more a day.
Despite the long sitting times, 68% of respondents achieve the recommended endurance activities overall. However, only 30% of those who sit excessively exercise enough to compensate. Muscle training twice a week is done by only 34%, and just 32% combine both endurance and muscle training as recommended by the World Health Organization.
In conclusion, while very long sitting durations dominate the daily routine for Germans on workdays, a minority of heavy sitters maintain sufficient daily exercise according to the 2025 DKV study. The report serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing sedentary activities with regular exercise to maintain good health.
- To combat the negative health effects of extended sitting times in the workplace, it's essential to incorporate more fitness and exercise into daily routines, as recommended by the 2025 DKV study.
- Incorporating science-based workplace-wellness programs focusing on health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise could help reduce sedentary behavior and promote overall well-being in the German workforce.
