Department of Community Development launches 5th Sports and Physical Activity Survey

The Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development (DCD), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi, has launched the fifth cycle of the Sports and Physical Activity Survey in Abu Dhabi. The survey aims to monitor and analyse sport participation patterns and physical activity levels among residents across the emirate, while identifying the factors that encourage participation and the challenges facing different segments of the community.

The new cycle builds on progress recorded across several key indicators in Abu Dhabi during the 2025 survey. Most notably, the proportion of community members meeting the levels of physical activity recommended by the World Health Organisation rose to 60.6 per cent, compared with 53.6 per cent in 2024, while the rate among UAE nationals increased from 45.6 per cent to 54.3 per cent. The proportion of children and adolescents achieving 60 minutes of physical activity per day also rose to 14.8 per cent, while the percentage of People of Determination participating in sport weekly reached 46.5 per cent.

Building on these indicators, the fifth cycle seeks to develop a more detailed understanding of the community’s experience with sport. It examines the frequency and regularity of physical activity, the sports people practise most often and those they would like to pursue, and the motivations for participation and potential barriers, including time, cost, the availability and accessibility of facilities, and weather conditions. The survey also measures time spent sitting and the use of walking and cycling for transport, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of movement and activity patterns in daily life.

A dedicated focus is also placed on children aged five to eight, monitoring their physical activity levels and participation in sport both inside and outside school, as well as the availability of sporting opportunities and facilities in the areas where they live. Parents are also asked to assess how physical activity affects their children’s physical and mental health, as well as their satisfaction with the opportunities and facilities available to them.

Its scope also extends to the community’s experience of sports facilities and events, including venues, clubs, fitness centres, parks, and walking, running and cycling tracks, as well as users’ satisfaction with their infrastructure and services. Community members are also asked for their views on how sports events could be enhanced, whether by increasing the number of community and international events, providing more events for children, reducing participation and attendance costs, or improving accessibility and inclusion.

Community perceptions of the role of sport in promoting physical and mental health and strengthening social cohesion are also examined, alongside the accessibility of sporting activities and facilities across Abu Dhabi. Together, these areas reflect a broader view of sport as a component of quality of life and community participation, rather than merely a form of physical activity.

His Excellency Mohammed Hilal Al Balooshi, Executive Director of the Social Engagement and Empowerment Sector at DCD, said: “The progress achieved through previous survey cycles reflects tangible advances in embedding physical activity as part of everyday life in Abu Dhabi. However, these figures are a starting point for a deeper understanding of the community’s needs, rather than an end in themselves. Through the fifth cycle, we want to gain a more precise understanding of people’s experiences with sport, what motivates them to participate, the challenges they face, and what can be improved to make physical activity easier and more accessible for all segments of the community.

“Continued growth in survey participation strengthens our ability to understand community needs through data that reflects its diversity. We encourage all community members to share their experiences and views, as their input helps identify priorities, reveal gaps and direct efforts towards sporting initiatives and opportunities that respond more effectively to the needs of different groups and support a healthier, more active and connected community.”

Hamda Ahmed Al Mansoori, Executive Director of the Strategic Affairs Sector at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “The Sports and Physical Activity Survey is an important tool for understanding sports participation patterns and physical activity levels across different segments of society. It also enables us to gain deeper insights into their needs, aspirations and the challenges that may affect their participation in sports. Findings from previous survey cycles have provided valuable data and indicators that have supported our planning and the development of sports programmes and initiatives, helping to expand opportunities for participation and encourage more active lifestyles.

“Through the fifth cycle, we aim to build on the progress achieved in previous editions and gain a more accurate understanding of the community’s key needs and the challenges individuals face in participating in sports. This will help us identify priorities and develop initiatives and programmes based on reliable, real-world data. At the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and in collaboration with our partners, we are committed to expanding the base of sports participants and providing diverse and inclusive sporting opportunities for all segments of society across Abu Dhabi. We invite everyone to take part in the survey and share their views and experiences, contributing to the development of a sporting environment that enhances quality of life.”

DCD invites all community members across the emirate of Abu Dhabi to participate in the fifth cycle by visiting the department’s digital platforms and completing the survey before 30 October 2026. By sharing their views and experiences, participants will help build a more comprehensive database on sport and physical activity and support efforts to develop an environment that encourages active lifestyles and participation in sport, meets community needs, and keeps pace with their aspirations.

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