Costly 147.7 million days in six months. More physical activity would help the economy save billions.
According to the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) data, in the first half of 2026, Poles spent nearly 150 million days on sick leave – the result similar to that of the corresponding period last year. Lifestyle diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, are common causes of absenteeism. Surveys show that the incidence of illness and, consequently, the number of days spent on sick leave, could drop significantly if we, as a society, engaged in regular physical activity. Analyses conducted on behalf of Benefit Systems show that physical inactivity is a systemic phenomenon.
According to a publication in the Nature Health journal,[1] we know more about health than ever before in history, yet we are less physically active than ever. It is a paradox of the 21st century: physical activity is the most thoroughly researched, least expensive, and most widely available medicine humanity possesses, yet it remains the most undervalued public health tool.
We sit everywhere: at work, in the car, in front of the computer, and in the evening on the couch in front of the TV. Although bookshop shelves are groaning under the weight of healthy-living guides and social media promotes being “fit,” statistical data reveals just how far reality diverges from theoretical ideals. According to an OECD and WHO report,[2] Poland is among the least active EU countries. As emphasised by Prof. Ernest Kuchar, a specialist in sports medicine and infectious diseases at the Medical University of Warsaw:
– Regular physical activity not only improves physical fitness but also helps prevent many lifestyle diseases, such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. It improves our wellbeing, mood, sleep, memory, and cognitive functions. A lack of physical activity, on the other hand, leads to a growing number of people suffering from chronic conditions, which in turn places a burden on the healthcare system. The impact of this phenomenon will become apparent in the coming years, and if the trend continues, the WHO’s global forecast for 2030 (predicting that 35% of adults will lack sufficient physical activity) could prove to be a real problem for Poland as well.
The high cost of being inactive: how much do we really pay for sitting?
A sedentary lifestyle also comes at a tangible cost to the healthcare system and the economy. However, instead of attempting to convert historical estimates of the costs of physical inactivity into the current National Health Fund budget, it is worth looking at more recent analyses.
Last year, researchers from the Institute for Structural Research (IBS), commissioned by Benefit Systems, produced a report titled “Benefits of Physical Activity Among Poles.” It presents the results of an advanced econometric-medical simulation showing what Poland would gain if we managed to physically activate our society. Two variants of the changes were analysed.
According to IBS simulations, a 10% increase in the proportion of people meeting WHO standards would reduce the National Health Fund’s direct expenditures by approximately PLN 72 million annually, and costs associated with sickness-related absenteeism by PLN 549 million.[3] This would make it possible to avoid as many as 13,897 premature deaths annually, and the average life expectancy of Poles would increase by 3.6 months.[4] In turn, the total duration of hospital stays for patients would be reduced by 476,500 days per year.[5] The number of people struggling with heart disease would also decrease. Experts forecast a drop of 270,000. In the case of hypertension, it would drop by 313,600. There also would be 112,500 fewer cases of depression.[6] In a more ambitious scenario, assuming the activation of half of the inactive population, savings for the National Health Fund would reach PLN 268.7 million annually, and the costs of absenteeism could fall by PLN 1.9 billion.[7] The societal benefits of such a breakthrough would be immense. Poles would live 13.2 months longer on average, and the total duration of hospitalisations would decrease by 1.7 million days.
If the benefits of physical activity are so great, then why do we move so little?
Industrialisation, rapid urbanisation, and digitalisation have effectively restricted natural movement. In the past, physical activity was woven into our daily routine: we walked to work, carried groceries, and performed household chores using our own muscle power. Today, adapting to current lifestyles and constraints, we have neglected to offset our lack of movement with regular physical activity, such as classes at sports facilities.
Recognising the growing problem of physical inactivity, some European Union countries are introducing systemic solutions aimed at mitigating the situation. Since 2019, a programme has been funded in the Netherlands under basic health insurance in which overweight patients at risk of chronic diseases are placed under the care of interdisciplinary teams (dietitians, physiotherapists, and trainers). By 2024, 121,000 people had benefited from the programme, recording an average weight loss of 5%.[9]
In Sweden, doctors can prescribe physical activity to patients as a full-fledged component of therapy.[10] A five-year study of patients with metabolic syndrome in this programme showed that their activity increased by an average of three hours per week, which translated into improvements in 9 out of 11 key health parameters (including blood pressure and glucose levels). Both Sweden and Finland use tax incentives, leaving the choice of sports discipline to the employees.
Solutions enabling employers to support their employees’ physical activity are also available in Poland. One of them is the Company Social Benefits Fund (ZFŚS), the funds of which can be allocated to sports and recreational activities. In practice, this may include the funding or co-financing of MultiSport cards, provided that the benefit is granted in accordance with the rules set out in the Social Benefits Fund regulations and takes social criteria into account.
A lasting shift in mindset
– The costs associated with diseases that could be prevented through regular physical activity are enormous, which could ultimately lead to increased public spending on treating these conditions. The challenge lies not only in mobilising the public to get moving but also in changing mindsets and instilling good health habits – specifically, regular physical activity – for the long term. This is a problem requiring urgent intervention at both the educational and structural levels. Therefore, we need long-term strategies for building a healthy lifestyle – sums up Prof. Ernest Kuchar.
In the MultiSport Index 2025 survey, 67% of working Poles stated that they would like to increase their level of physical activity. In Poland, its proactive promotion takes place largely through non-financial benefits. A survey by the Institute of Occupational Medicine, titled “Physical Activity for Health,” shows that the subsidising of sports cards is one of the most popular options.
[1] The huge unmet health gains from physical activity | Nature Health
[2] WHO and OECD report: Step Up! Tackling the Burden of Insufficient Physical Activity in Europe, OECD Publishing, 2023 r.
[3] “Benefits of Physical Activity for Poles” IBS report commissioned by Benefit Systems, 2024, p. 43
[4] “Benefits of Physical Activity for Poles” IBS report commissioned by Benefit Systems, 2024, pp. 41-42
[5] “Benefits of Physical Activity for Poles” IBS report commissioned by Benefit Systems, 2024, p. 41
[6] “Benefits of Physical Activity for Poles” IBS report commissioned by Benefit Systems, 2024, p. 41
[7] “Benefits of Physical Activity for Poles” IBS report commissioned by Benefit Systems, 2024, p. 46
[8] “Benefits of Physical Activity for Poles” IBS report commissioned by Benefit Systems, 2024, p. 44
[9] “Benefits of Physical Activity for Poles” IBS report commissioned by Benefit Systems, 2024, p. 54
[10] “Benefits of Physical Activity for Poles” IBS report commissioned by Benefit Systems, 2024, p. 54
[11] “Benefits of Physical Activity for Poles” IBS report commissioned by Benefit Systems, 2024, p. 54
Barbara Jastrzębska
For over 20 years, Benefit Systems has been the leader of the Polish employee benefits market and one of the key players in the region’s fitness industry. The company’s flagship product is the iconic MultiSport Programme providing access to thousands of sports and recreational facilities. The portfolio is complemented by the MyBenefit cafeteria platform and the Multi.Life wellbeing programme, creating a benefits ecosystem for companies that care about their employees. The group operates in six markets. In addition to Poland, its sports offering is available in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Turkey. Benefit Systems is also the largest fitness club operator in Poland, managing nearly 300 clubs, mostly those under the Zdrofit brand. The mission of Benefit Systems is to inspire physical activity and promote health at every stage of life. The company conducts educational and health-oriented initiatives for children, adults, and seniors, including through the MultiSport Foundation. Since 2018, it has been part of the B Corp community, which brings together companies committed to the highest standards of social responsibility and engagement. More information at: https://www.benefitsystems.pl/en and https://biuroprasowe.benefitsystems.pl/en.
