Four in ten Italians over the age of 16 never take part in sport. That Eurostat figure is a stark sign that something is not working—and it cannot be explained by willpower alone. Among women, the share reaches 44%; even among young people, it exceeds 22%. Across Europe, the average for people over 16 who never do sport is 26%, leaving Italy near the bottom of the rankings.
The picture extends beyond sport. In a Eurobarometer survey, 68% of Italians say they spend between two and a half and eight hours a day sitting down. Whenever these figures come up, the conversation tends to turn to laziness. Working hours and hectic lives certainly play a part, but there is a more fundamental issue that receives too little attention: the opportunity to be physically active is not available to everyone.
Eurobarometer highlights a close relationship between physical activity, education and financial circumstances. Across Europe, people who struggle seriously to pay their bills are twice as likely never to exercise as those who are financially comfortable: 54% compared with 26%. For 12% of Europeans, the direct costs of fees, memberships and equipment are themselves a barrier. Discipline matters, but so do the conditions in which people live.
That divide also weighs on public finances. In Italy alone, physical inactivity carries an estimated healthcare cost of €6.7 billion. Yet the country devotes just 0.6% of public spending to sport, below a European average that is itself only 0.8%.
Then comes the paradox: Italy is Europe’s leading producer of sporting goods, with €2.2 billion in turnover. The country makes equipment for much of Europe, yet struggles to put it to use at home.
Nor is the problem simply a lack of awareness about the benefits. Some 94% of Italians recognise that exercise, sport and other physical activities contribute to better mental health. The value of movement is widely understood; being able to make it part of everyday life is another matter.
September is the month of good intentions and gym bags brought out of storage. Sport does require effort and discipline. But that should not obscure the question of access—or the value of doing what is possible. For those who have the opportunity, even a little movement every day can make a real difference. As the World Health Organization confirms, physical activity is one of the most important tools for prevention available to us.