New Study on Physical Activity in Denmark Launches Soon

The largest-ever national study on physical activity in Denmark, is about to be launched, with over 550,000 citizens, including 180,000 children, receiving surveys to help researchers and local governments improve public health and create better access to active lifestyles across the country.

Nationwide Movement Survey Underway

On October 8, 2025, the country kicked off what is being called the largest study of physical activity in Denmark ever. Conducted by the University of Southern Denmark (Syddansk Universitet), the survey, called “Danmark i Bevægelse” (Denmark in Motion) aims to map the everyday movement habits of more than half a million Danes. It will give a full picture of daily movement.

Approximately 565,000 individuals aged 3 and up will receive a digital questionnaire via Denmark’s secure digital mailbox, e-Boks. The initiative gathers data on how Danes move in different parts of their daily lives, from walking and cycling to work, to recreational sports, gardening, and more passive types of movement such as household chores. All types of movement are included.

Expanding the Scope to Include Children

Unlike the first edition of the study in 2020, which focused on youth and adults, this year’s iteration significantly expands its scope to include 180,000 children aged 3 to 14. Since young children do not have their own e-Boks accounts, the survey forms are sent to their parents, who are encouraged to complete the form in collaboration with their child.

In about 25,000 selected cases, both a child and one of their parents receive individual surveys. This allows researchers to explore links between a parent’s activity levels and their child’s, potentially uncovering generational patterns in physical activity in Denmark.

Local Data with National Implications

The study is being conducted in all 98 municipalities of Denmark. Each municipality will receive its own report detailing the activity habits of its residents. The data will later be compiled into a centralized national overview, allowing policymakers, city planners, and community organizations to identify where and how they can encourage more physical activity in Denmark.

In the previous survey conducted in October 2020, more than 163,000 people participated, revealing significant regional differences. In some municipalities, for example, people were three times more likely to participate in sports such as running or gymnastics compared to other regions. There were also notable variations in the prevalence of cyclists across municipalities.

Turning Insights into Action

With this updated and expanded dataset, Denmark in Motion seeks to drive concrete public initiatives. Already, lessons from the 2020 survey have prompted municipalities to improve access to green spaces, invest in bike paths, and open up sports facilities to broader segments of the population.

This broader definition of activity. Not limited to organized sports but also daily physical routines, is shaping a new approach to public health that includes small-scale, everyday motion.

Public Participation Rewarded

To boost engagement, participants who complete the survey are automatically entered into drawings for monetary prizes. There are 14 tax-free prizes of DKK 10,000 (around USD 1,400) and six additional prizes of DKK 5,000 (around USD 700) for completing an additional questionnaire. These incentives underscore the importance of community-wide participation to ensure reliable and representative data across all age groups and geographic locations.

Funded by Nordea Foundation

The research project is led by the Center for Research in Sport, Health, and Civil Society at the University of Southern Denmark’s Department of Sports Science and Biomechanics. The initiative is supported with funds totaling DKK 17.8 million (approximately USD 2.5 million) from the Nordea Foundation, a major philanthropic organization dedicated to promoting health, culture, education, and community engagement in Denmark.

Local Follow-Up and Public Engagement

Following data analysis, findings will be presented in local forums across all municipalities. These “movement meetings” will showcase the potential for new habits, policies, and infrastructure that encourage more active lifestyles. All results will also be available through the project’s online database at www.danmarkibevægelse.dk.

The database and municipal reports are expected to inform changes ranging from playground designs and trail development to school route improvements and expanded access to sports facilities. These solutions aim to promote healthier, more active lives for Danes of all ages.

Josephine Wismar Creative Writer

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