If health were a marathon, Copenhagen would be racing ahead of much of Denmark—though not quite at the front of the pack. According to a new mapping published on September 12, 2025, by Body S|D|S A/S and based on data from The National Health Profile and Statistics Denmark, Copenhagen ranks second in the entire country when it comes to meeting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations of 150 minutes of physical activity per week. That sounds impressive, but there’s a catch: more than half of the city’s residents still aren’t hitting that mark.
The numbers tell a story of both progress and persistent challenges. In Copenhagen, 50.3 percent of citizens do not meet the recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise. Frederiksberg, the city’s neighbor and friendly rival, claims the top spot, with 48.5 percent of its population falling short of the exercise guidelines. This means that the Copenhagen metropolitan area, taken together, leads the nation in physical activity—but even here, the majority are not active enough.
This new mapping does more than just hand out gold and silver medals for movement; it shines a spotlight on glaring disparities across Denmark. While the capital region boasts the most active Danes, other parts of the country are struggling. Municipalities like Ærø, Lemvig, and Skive are at the opposite end of the scale, with far more citizens failing to get enough exercise. And in Southern Jutland, particularly in Haderslev municipality, the situation is even more concerning. As reported by local media, Haderslev lags behind its neighbors in physical activity, a trend that could spell trouble for public health in the region.
The implications are significant. "It is very worrying and a clear signal that we need to act at all levels to promote physical activity in the population. Lack of regular exercise increases the risk of lifestyle diseases, diminishes quality of life, and affects mental health. If you don't spend time on your health now, you'll have to spend time on illness later," said Henrik Eiberg, CEO of Body S|D|S A/S, in a press release announcing the mapping’s results. His warning is stark: the costs of inactivity are not just personal, but societal, as communities face rising rates of chronic illness and healthcare burdens.
So, what’s driving these differences? The mapping suggests that geography is only part of the story. According to Eiberg, income and education levels play a major role. "People with higher incomes often have both greater financial resources and more freedom to prioritize health, which gives them easier access to training and health-promoting activities," he explained. In other words, being able to afford a gym membership—or even just having the time to go for a walk—can make a world of difference.
The data also reveal some surprising gender dynamics. Men, it turns out, are generally more active than women. However, women express a greater desire to be more physically active. This gap between aspiration and reality hints at deeper social or structural barriers that may prevent women from moving as much as they’d like. Whether it’s lack of time, resources, or safe spaces to exercise, the reasons are complex and worth further exploration.
While the capital region’s relative success might seem like cause for celebration, there are storm clouds on the horizon. Eiberg warns that recent political decisions could make things worse, not better. "It is difficult to understand that taxes are being removed from sugary and other unhealthy products, while training is becoming more expensive. This creates economic barriers for those who already have difficulty prioritizing health," he said. For families already struggling to make ends meet, higher prices for sports activities and lower prices for junk food could tip the scales in the wrong direction.
Eiberg is not just sounding the alarm—he’s calling for action. He urges politicians to ensure better frameworks for physical activity across all parts of society, from schools to nursing homes. The idea is simple: everyone, regardless of age or income, should have the opportunity to be active. But turning that vision into reality will require more than just good intentions. It will take targeted investments, creative solutions, and a willingness to tackle the root causes of inactivity.
The mapping’s findings are especially relevant in light of ongoing debates about public health policy in Denmark. As the country grapples with rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and other lifestyle-related illnesses, the need for preventive measures has never been clearer. Encouraging more people to move—even just a little bit more each week—could pay huge dividends in terms of both health and happiness.
But the road ahead is anything but straightforward. The mapping shows that the gap between the most and least active parts of Denmark is wide and, in some places, growing. In Southern Jutland, for example, the low level of physical activity in places like Haderslev could have serious consequences for citizens' future health. Local officials and health experts worry that without intervention, these communities could see higher rates of chronic disease and lower life expectancy.
What might those interventions look like? Some advocates suggest making physical activity more accessible and affordable, especially for low-income families. That could mean subsidizing sports clubs, building more public parks, or integrating movement into daily life through urban design. Others argue for stronger regulations on unhealthy products, or more robust public education campaigns about the benefits of exercise. Whatever the approach, the goal is the same: to help more Danes get moving, and to close the gap between regions and social groups.
Of course, numbers and policies only tell part of the story. Behind every statistic is a person—a parent juggling work and family, a retiree looking for ways to stay active, a teenager searching for motivation to put down the phone and go outside. For many, the barriers to movement are real and daunting. But as Eiberg’s comments make clear, the stakes are too high to ignore. "If you don't spend time on your health now, you'll have to spend time on illness later," he cautioned.
As Denmark’s cities and towns reckon with the findings of this new mapping, one thing is clear: the race for better health is far from over. Whether the country can close the gap between its most and least active citizens remains to be seen. But with the right mix of policy, investment, and community spirit, there’s hope that more Danes will find their stride—and that the finish line for a healthier nation is still within reach.
