People in Germany typically spend around 10 hours daily in a seated position - People in Germany typically spend approximately 10 hours each day in a seated position
The 2025 DKV report, a collaborative effort between the German Sports University Cologne and the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, has raised concerns about the health implications of spending an average of 10 hours a day sitting in Germany. This prolonged sedentary lifestyle, which includes sitting at work, watching TV, and using computers or tablets, is considered a major health risk due to poor physical activity habits.
The report's surveys, conducted in February and March 2025 across Germany, included approximately 2,800 people aged 18 and over. The findings reveal that only about a third (30%) of people who sit a lot for extended periods exercise for an hour or more daily, which is the recommended target to counteract long sitting times exceeding eight hours.
The report highlights that Germans now spend on average more than 10 hours sitting daily on working days, an increase of about two hours compared to ten years ago. This growing sedentary lifestyle is a cause for concern, as it significantly contributes to poor lifestyle adherence, with only 2% of Germans meeting all healthy lifestyle criteria.
Prolonged sitting has been linked to various health risks, including increased cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and musculoskeletal problems. Although the DKV report does not specify every condition, it labels the record sitting time a serious health risk.
The report's findings suggest that while over two-thirds achieve some recommended endurance activity, only one-third meet the WHO guidelines for twice-weekly muscle training, and less than one-third combine both endurance and muscle-strengthening activities.
In summary, the 2025 DKV report highlights that the average German's daily sitting duration of around 10 hours creates a concerning health risk by promoting sedentary behavior that is not adequately offset by exercise, thereby increasing the likelihood of chronic diseases and poor overall health outcomes. It emphasizes the importance of regularly incorporating physical activity into daily routines to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
[1] German Sports University Cologne and Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (2025). DKV Report: Prolonged Sitting Time and Health Implications in Germany. [2] World Health Organization (2019). Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior. [3] American Heart Association (2020). Sitting Time and Your Health. [4] German Health Update (2024). Lifestyle Factors and Health in Germany.
- The 2025 DKV report, a collaboration between the German Sports University Cologne and Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, suggests that the community policy should focus on promoting health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and implementing an employment policy that encourages regular physical activity to counteract the increased health risks associated with spending over 10 hours daily sitting.
- In light of the findings from the 2025 DKV report, which highlights the significant health risks associated with prolonged sitting, it is essential for science to explore potential solutions, such as innovative ergonomic designs for furniture and workspaces, to reduce sedentary time and improve the overall well-being of the population.
