With data showing that the average person in the UK takes 5,444 steps per day – almost 2 million per year – analysis from active foot care specialists, The Feets, reveals that this makes the UK the sixth most active country in Europe.
But that still leaves us behind five others – Spain, Sweden, Latvia, Czech Republic and Lithuania.
Step counting has become a national pastime, thanks largely to smartwatches, phones, and fitness apps that log our every movement.
Because of this, our step count has become an easy and useful way of measuring the amount of exercise we’re getting each day.
But reaching the commonly cited daily target of 10,000 steps per day is easier said than done. In fact, if you’re one of the people who regularly smashes through the 10K mark, you’re part of a significant minority because data from OECD* reveals that the average person in the UK achieves roughly half of that, taking 5,444 steps each day – although this still equates to almost 2m steps per year!
The Feets has found that this places the UK sixth among all European nations, with the populations of five countries managing a higher daily average.
The most steps are taken in Spain where the local population averages 5,936 per day. This is followed by Sweden (5,863), Latvia (5,553), Czech Republic (5,508), and Lithuania (5,498).
The data also shows that in the UK there is quite a large disparity between the average number of steps taken by women and men. While men take an average of 5,982 steps per day, women average 4,908 – a difference of 1,074 steps – meaning men take some 20% more steps than women.
Logan Estop-Hall, Founder of The Feets, said, “The UK might not top the European table when it comes to the most steps taken per day, but you don’t need to be hitting 10,000 steps a day to put serious pressure on your feet.
Just going about your daily life adds up and 5,444 steps a day is nearly 2 million steps a year, the equivalent of walking from London to Edinburgh and back, with extra miles to spare!
Cracked heels, soreness, or athlete’s foot aren’t just problems for runners, they affect people in everyday life, and in all kinds of job roles. Taking care of your feet should be a ‘must’ and means you can keep moving confidently and comfortably, whether you’re chasing a personal best or just chasing the bus. The moral here – don’t underestimate your mileage, and make sure you look after your feet – even if you’re not quite getting your daily 10K steps in!”
