The Italy records progress in sport, but remains among the European countries with high levels of sedentary lifestyleThis is what emerges from the fourth edition of the Sport Value Observatory Forum 2026, organized by The European House – Ambrosetti (Teha) at the CONI Hall of Honor in Rome, with the support of partners including Intesa Sanpaolo Insurance, Intesa Sanpaolo Protection, CIP, CONI, Institute for Sports and Cultural Credit, Sport and Health, Amadori, Confartigianato Imprese, Decathlon, FitActive, Matrix Fitness Italia, and TeamSystem. The event featured 42 speakers from institutions, government, and the sports world, with the aim of promoting sport as a lever for well-being and economic development.
Sport Value Observatory 2026: Sedentary lifestyle on the decline, but gaps persist
During the Winter Games, Italy won 30 medals, climbing to third place in terms of number of podium finishes and fourth in the overall medal table. The event generated a significant increase in online and social conversations: during the Olympics, the word "Italia" or "Italy" was mentioned 1,9 million times, with peaks of up to 74 times in the town of Livigno. According to the organizers, the Olympic success offers a concrete incentive to strengthen the daily and widespread practice of sports in the country.
Despite a drop from 40% to 33% of totally inactive citizensBetween 2015 and 2024, nearly a third of the Italian population remains sedentary. This phenomenon is more pronounced in Southern Italy, in small towns, among women, the over-65s, and those with low levels of education. Active sports facilities now number over 78 (+5,3% compared to 2020), and public spending in the sector has reached €6,1 billion (up 43% since 2015), but remains below the European average.
Secondo Valerio DeMolli, managing partner and CEO of Teha Group, sedentary lifestyle weighs 6,7 billion every year of euros on the country system between Costs health e loss of productivityThe phenomenon varies across the life cycle: 28% of 18-19 year olds abandon sport, the main barrier among adults is lack of time, while among the over-65s, almost half are completely sedentary and 80% live with at least one chronic disease. To combat this, De Molli emphasizes the importance of age-differentiated policies, based on the principles of “Sport for All” and “Sport in All Policies”, which guarantee access to sport for all and involve the expertise of at least 13 ministries.
