- Tens of thousands of Londoners not getting enough exercise
- Anxiety levels higher in London than rest of country
- London Sport calling for collective action to tackle physical inactivity crisis
Tuesday 10th June 2025 – London Sport analysis of the latest Active Lives data from Sport England reveals that while London, as a whole, is marginally more active than the national average – with 64.6% of adults meeting the recommended 150+ minutes of physical activity per week (compared to 63.7% across England) – a deeper look reveals a concerning picture of inequality across the capital.
In 15 of London’s 32 boroughs, adult activity levels fall below the national average, leaving tens of thousands of residents at increased risk of poor health and reduced wellbeing.
The top performing boroughs, such as Camden (77.4%) and Islington (75.7%), are home to some of the most active residents in the country. In contrast, residents of Havering (52.9%), Bexley (54.6%), and Barking & Dagenham (54.6%) are significantly less active – a gap of nearly 25 percentage points from the most active boroughs.
Emily Robinson, CEO, London Sport, said: “These disparities matter. Physical inactivity is a major contributing factor to chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, depression, and anxiety. Some people in London are living up to 12 years longer in good health than others, and in less active boroughs residents face not only a higher risk of illness but also reduced mental wellbeing and life satisfaction.
“At London Sport, our mission is to help Londoners lead longer, happier, healthier lives through being active. Our place-based approach encompasses our efforts within the defined spaces and places of London that are most in need, to make it easier for those who are less active to be more physically active.
“These findings highlight why targeted local action and collaboration are so important in tackling inequalities and unlocking the full benefits of physical activity for Londoners.”
Beyond physical health, London Sport’s analysis of data covering life satisfaction and anxiety paints a deeper picture:
- Anxiety levels were above the national average in all parts of London, with the highest in Tower Hamlets (4.4/10) and lowest in Lambeth (3.7), compared to the national average of 3.6.
- Life satisfaction varies, with Lambeth residents reporting the highest levels (6.9/10) and Kensington & Chelsea the lowest (6.5), against a national average of 6.9.
These indicators show that the benefits of physical activity are more than individual; they extend to overall quality of life.
London Sport is clear that the capital is facing a physical inactivity crisis, and is calling on organisations from grassroots to government, communities to corporates, to join in collective action towards a healthier city, including:
- Prioritising physical activity as a core public health intervention
- Investing in inclusive, community-based opportunities for people of all backgrounds and abilities
- Collaborating to close the activity gap and build healthier, more resilient boroughs
ENDS
Notes to editors
Sport England’s Active Lives survey data can be viewed here: Active Lives | Adult Data
The full list of boroughs, ranked from most to least active:
- Camden 77.40%
- Islington 75.70%
- Richmond upon Thames 75.40%
- Lambeth 74.80%
- Hammersmith and Fulham 74.50%
- Kingston upon Thames 74.10%
- Wandsworth 73.30%
- Southwark 72.50%
- Hackney 71.80%
- Bromley 71.00%
- Haringey 67.60%
- Merton 67.60%
- Lewisham 67.40%
- Tower Hamlets 64.80%
- Westminster 64.70%
- Kensington and Chelsea 64.50%
- Barnet 63.90%
- Waltham Forest 63.20%
- Greenwich 62.90%
- Ealing 62.50%
- Sutton 61.20%
- Croydon 60.60%
- Enfield 60.40%
- Newham 59.90%
- Redbridge 59.20%
- Hounslow 57.00%
- Brent 56.70%
- Hillingdon 55.80%
- Harrow 54.80%
- Barking and Dagenham 54.60%
- Bexley 54.60%
- Havering 52.90%
About London Sport
London Sport is a charity helping all Londoners live longer, happier, healthier lives through being active.
As a strategic leader, advocate and convenor for London’s grassroots sport and physical activity sector, we collaborate with London’s local authorities and other organisations to ensure more equitable access to sport and physical activity.
As part of a national network of 43 Active Partnerships with a collective voice to influence nationally, our work aims to break the link between inactivity and inequality to improve health and wellbeing of those from the most deprived communities
For more information on London Sport, visit www.londonsport.org
