Alarming report shows: Only two percent of Germans live a completely healthy life

The report from the German Health Insurance (DKV) was published for the eighth time this year. For the analysis, approximately 2,800 people aged 18 and older were surveyed, including on their diet, physical activity, and sedentary habits.

The experts conclude that only two percent of the population meets the criteria for a completely healthy lifestyle. Women (three percent) perform better than men (one percent). While 37 percent of women completely abstain from alcohol, only 21 percent of men manage to do so. Furthermore, the results show that women eat healthier foods. Men, on the other hand, exercise more often.

The average of two percent is also so low because, for the first time, the peak for healthy alcohol consumption can only be achieved by completely abstaining from alcohol, as the report states. The same applies to smoking. According to the current survey, slightly less than a third (29 percent) of respondents reported completely abstaining from alcohol.

In previous reports, occasional alcohol consumption was still considered tolerable. According to these criteria, six percent of all respondents in the current survey would lead a completely healthy life. However, this is still lower than in the last survey in 2023, when the figure was nine percent.

One of the biggest challenges today is that people spend too much time sitting, as the survey shows. On average, the survey shows they spend more than ten hours a weekday. That's almost two hours more than ten years ago. In addition, many don't provide sufficient balance. Only just under one in three (30 percent) of those who sit for long periods – at least eight hours a day – compensate for their long periods of sitting with an hour or more of exercise per day.

Sitting for long hours has many health disadvantages, such as a slowed metabolism and limited mobility. Back pain is a typical symptom of prolonged sitting. The so-called "couch stretch" can help with this. Ergonomic sitting with regular breaks for movement also counteracts the dangers of prolonged sitting.

"Sitting is the new smoking," said Ingo Froböse, a professor at the German Sport University Cologne, during a press conference. He called the results "tragic" and "hazardous to health." Even two to three exercise sessions per week can only partially compensate for the long periods of sitting. These people need at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day, explained the study's scientific director, Birgit Sperlich of the University of Würzburg.

The report was produced in collaboration with the German Sport University Cologne and the University of Würzburg. The surveys were conducted in February and March 2025.

Just over two-thirds (68 percent) of respondents exercise sufficiently in their daily lives to achieve health benefits – regardless of sedentary time. This applies to a total of 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, explained Froböse. This could be achieved, for example, by cycling to work or taking brisk walks after work.

The proportion of all respondents who meet the recommendations for minimal endurance activity and twice-weekly muscle training is 32 percent. "That's clearly too little," said the sports professor. To stay fit, the combination of endurance and muscle training is essential.

Nearly one in five people hardly exercise at all during their leisure time or during transportation. Accordingly, 19 percent stated that exercise in this area never lasts longer than ten minutes. "20 percent is obviously far too much for us, because it results in many problems that we now find in the area of chronic illness," says Froböse.

Only about one in three people meets the criteria for a healthy diet. A healthy diet is considered achieved when at least 20 out of a possible 30 points are achieved. Questions included how much fruit and vegetables one eats per day, how many sweets and snacks one consumed in the past week, and how much one usually drinks per day. When it comes to stress, only one in five people manages the daily pressures they experience in a healthy way.