Result
Almost every second German citizen is currently regularly active (at least once a week). In 2010, not even one in three could claim this. In addition to traditional sports in clubs and individual leisure activities such as cycling, jogging or going to the gym, more than one in four people exercise at home. Within the population, men are slightly more active in sport than women. In addition, awareness of sport increases with income, whereas it decreases with age.
Reasons
Corona was like a booster for sport. More available time due to working from home and fewer (leisure) alternatives due to the nationwide lockdowns led to a renaissance in sport, which is still continuing. Increased health awareness and the desire for physical fitness, increased performance and physical attractiveness also play a role.
Forecast
Germany is on the move - or not. A rift will continue to run through Germany as a sporting nation in the future. While some people exercise and are looking for a sporting challenge, a sense of achievement or affirmation, appreciate the shared activity with others, want to clear their heads through sport or do something for their health, others find it difficult to motivate themselves, prefer to watch sport on television rather than get active themselves and spend their free time doing other things. In the future, sport will continue to be characterised by conflicting social developments. Demographic trends, the medialisation of leisure time and declining club memberships all point to less sport in the future. On the other hand, an increasing need for health, the desire to remain physically and mentally fit in old age and to lead an active life, as well as the ever more differentiated range of sports on offer, suggest a further increase in sporting activity among the population. It will be interesting to see to what extent clubs and commercial providers react to this and organise or adjust their offerings accordingly.
EN 
DE