Shanghai's regular exercise rate reaches 56.5%

Shanghai's population is aging rapidly, with over 5.6 million residents aged 60 and above by the end of last year, comprising more than one-third of the city's total. This demographic shift presents major health and financial challenges, with exercise emerging as a key part of the solution.

The survey showed a 5.7 percentage point increase in regular exercise among residents aged seven and up since 2020. The highest rate is 87.5 percent for ages seven to 18, followed by 43.3 percent for ages 19 to 59, and 42.8 percent for seniors. Popular activities include walking, running, rope skipping, cycling, badminton and basketball.

On the supply side, 91.9 percent of residents aged 19 and above can reach sports facilities within a 15-minute walk or bike ride, indicating the "15-minute fitness circle" is largely in place. Participation in sports organizations reached 41.2 percent, up 4.2 points from 2020.