3 in 4 South Korean adults don’t exercise enough, data shows

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Data released by the South Korean government found that South Korean men are more active than women.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY

SEOUL - Only about one in four South Korean adults engage in enough physical activity to meet recommended health standards, making the country one of the most physically inactive populations in the world, according to government data released on July 10.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KCDA) reported that only 26.6 per cent of adults in the country engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity, or MVPA, at recommended levels in 2024. That means nearly three out of four Koreans do not get enough exercise.

The moderate physical activity standard includes activities that are somewhat more physically demanding than usual and cause slightly heavier breathing — such as leisurely swimming, doubles tennis, badminton or carrying light objects — at least five times a week for 30 minutes.

Vigorous activity covers activities that are much more physically demanding and cause heavy breathing — such as running, hiking, fast-paced cycling and squash — at least three times a week for 20 minutes.

The MVPA participation rate dipped to an all-time low of 19.7 per cent in 2021 and slowly rebounded post-pandemic to the current 26.6 per cent, but the number is still far below desirable levels, the agency said.

“It is encouraging that the rate of moderate to vigorous physical activity has been increasing since the return to daily life,” said KCDA commissioner Jee Young-mee.

“However, as of 2022, the global physical inactivity rate was 31.3 per cent, while South