Abu Dhabi Sees Increased Physical Activity Levels in 2025

The Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development (DCD), alongside the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), has unveiled the findings from the fourth Abu Dhabi Sports and Physical Activity Survey. The data reflects a significant rise in physical activity across the emirate, showcasing the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles among residents.

This latest survey, adhering to the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), garnered around 31,000 responses, notably increasing from 21,000 in 2024 and 19,000 in 2023. This upward trend signifies the broader reach of the survey achieved through partnerships with various governmental and educational entities throughout Abu Dhabi.

The findings indicate an overall participation rate of 60.3% in physical activities in 2025, up from 53.6% in 2024. This substantial rise highlights the emirate's dedication to cultivating sports as a lifestyle choice.

Among UAE Nationals, participation also saw an uptick, ascending to 54.3% in 2025 compared to 45.6% the previous year. This increase underscores the growing recognition of the importance of active, healthy living.

For children and adolescents, those meeting the WHO guideline of 60 minutes of daily physical activity climbed from 12.5% in 2024 to 14.8% in 2025. Despite room for further growth, this result is encouraging for fostering healthier habits among the youth.

Encouragingly, People of Determination (PoD) reported a rise in weekly physical activity to 46.5%, up from 43.7% in 2024, showing ongoing commitment to inclusive sports for all.

The survey also noted increased satisfaction with sports services and events. Notably, satisfaction with events organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council rose to 83%, up from 78%. Additionally, satisfaction with sports facilities increased to 78% from 76% in the previous survey, reflecting continued enhancements in sports amenities across the emirate.

Awareness of community sports events surged from 21% in 2024 to 25% in 2025, while recognition of major international sporting events hosted in Abu Dhabi grew from 22% to 24%.

His Excellency Mohamed Helal Al Balooshi, DCD's Executive Director of Community Engagement and Empowerment, stated that these survey results illustrate Abu Dhabi's commitment to embedding sports in everyday life. He emphasized that this achievement results from effective collaboration between government and private sectors, as well as community entities.

Al Balooshi further elaborated on the emirate's ongoing efforts to expand sports infrastructure, such as cycling and walking tracks, while introducing programs tailored for various age groups, seniors, and People of Determination.

He mentioned that the data-driven approach of DCD helps in tailoring community initiatives, directly supporting Abu Dhabi's vision of prioritizing people in development strategies.

Hamda Al Mansoori, Executive Director of the Strategic Affairs Sector at ADSC, asserted that the fourth cycle of the survey confirms the effectiveness of initiatives promoting an active lifestyle among residents. She noted that the findings support the unified vision of DCD and ADSC in fostering a robust sporting community.

The comprehensiveness of the latest survey provides valuable insights that can assist authorities in formulating better sports programs and enhancing community initiatives aimed at bolstering healthy living across all demographics.

Overall, the results from the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sports and Physical Activity Survey reflect the emirate's unwavering commitment to nurturing a healthier, more active society through enhanced infrastructure and community engagement, promoting a sustainable culture of sport and wellness.