Physical Activity in India: 2022 Estimates

India's 2022 estimate

The WHO South-East Asia Regional Office profile reports insufficient physical activity among 49.4% of adults aged 18 and over in India. Its sex-specific estimates are 42.0% for men and 57.2% for women. The values are population estimates from the WHO Global Health Observatory, not a count of people who never exercise and not a diagnosis of any individual.

These values are age-standardized estimates. They are useful for population-health planning, but they cannot explain why a person is less active or what activity is safe for a particular person.

How the global trend compares

A pooled analysis in The Lancet Global Health included 507 population-based surveys with 5.7 million participants. It estimated global insufficient-activity prevalence at 23.4% in 2000, 26.4% in 2010 and 31.3% in 2022 (95% uncertainty interval 28.6–34.0). In 2022, the estimate was 33.8% among women (29.9–37.7) and 28.7% among men (25.0–32.6).

The downloadable table keeps the India 2022 profile and the global study series identified by source and population. Do not read the global series as a measured time trend for India; the India profile supplies the country-specific figures.

What WHO recommends for adults

WHO recommends that adults aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination. Some activity is better than none. These population recommendations are not an individual prescription; a clinician can adapt advice to health conditions, recovery stage, ability and safety.

Use the numbers without blaming individuals

The difference between the reported estimates for women and men is a prompt to investigate access, time, safety, caregiving and opportunities for movement—not a basis for stereotyping or blaming people. The figures do not identify barriers for any one person.

For an individual, start with their goals, health context and daily activities. A physiotherapist or other qualified clinician can help decide whether assessment is needed and what activity is appropriate. Sudden severe symptoms require urgent medical assessment rather than an exercise plan.