Wales second-least active region in the UK as residents average only 6,464 daily steps

New analysis from YuLife, an all-in-one employee benefit solution provider, positions Wales as the second-least active UK region, with an average of only 6,464 daily steps per resident, underscoring a need for increased local wellbeing initiatives.

Key Regional Rankings:

Greater London ranks second, defying assumptions about sedentary city life. Other strong performers include the North West, South East, and Yorkshire. But the data exposes a clear divide: urban and northern regions are stepping up, while several rural and southern areas are falling behind.

This 1,000-step disparity isn’t just a stat; it equates to around 3.5 miles per week, underscoring a widening gap in public health and everyday movement across the UK.

Motivation Peaks in January, But Movement Collapses by November

Averaged across multiple years and regions, January is consistently the UK’s most active month, with step counts rising by +6.5%. Driven by new year resolutions, health goals, and a “fresh start” mentality, Brits get moving right out of the gate.

But by mid-year, momentum stalls, and November sees the steepest drop, with daily steps falling by -7%. Surprisingly, June is another low point, suggesting early summer isn't the wellness sweet spot we assume it is.

The takeaway? Health motivation fades fast, and November could be a critical blind spot for employers and public health campaigns that focus too heavily on the start of the year.

Gen X Steps Ahead While Gen Z Falls Behind

It’s not Gen Z leading the health charge, it’s Gen X. People aged 45–60 walk the most, averaging 7,327 steps a day, while Gen Z trails behind at just 6,360 steps.

This generational step gap reveals a surprising trend: older adults are walking more than their younger, supposedly health-conscious counterparts. Whether it’s due to daily routines, job structure, or lifestyle habits, Gen Z may be spending more time online and less time on their feet.

Average Daily Steps by Generation

Across every generation, men walk significantly more than women, by 900 to 1,100 steps per day. The largest gap is among Baby Boomers, where men average 7,813 steps versus 6,700 for women.

Even Gen Z shows a wide disparity, with young women walking over 1,000 steps fewer than their male peers. These differences aren’t just lifestyle quirks, they point to deeper systemic issues like unpaid caregiving, time poverty, safety concerns, and lack of access to movement-friendly environments.

Average Daily Steps by Generation and Gender

Across every generation, men consistently walk more than women, with the gender step gap ranging from +932 to +1,113 steps per day. The largest disparity is seen in Baby Boomers, where men average 7,813 steps compared to women’s 6,700. Gen Z women record the lowest average at 5,877 steps, nearly 1,050 fewer than their male peers.

Why This Data Matters and What Can We Learn From It

This data makes one thing clear: movement isn’t just a personal responsibility, it’s a structural issue. When step counts vary by region, gender, generation, and even time of day, it’s not because some people care more. It’s because some people have the space, support, and freedom to move, and others don’t.

At YuLife, we believe wellbeing needs to be designed into everyday life. Not left to chance. Not saved for the weekend. Not buried under workloads, unpaid labour, or urban sprawl. Prevention only works if people are given the chance to act early and often.

That’s why we focus on making healthy behaviours visible, supported, and valued. Because until the system changes, we need to give people every possible reason and every possible opportunity to take care of themselves. Starting with a single step.

Sammy Rubin, CEO & Founder at YuLife, comments: “We talk a lot about health, but the reality is: most people are set up to fail. The system waits until we’re unwell to intervene, and by then, it’s often too late. At YuLife, we’re flipping that model. Our mission is to make prevention part of daily life, not an afterthought. This data proves that the building blocks of wellbeing, like movement, are unevenly distributed across the UK. It’s not about willpower.

"It’s about time, access, environment, and support. If we want to improve the nation’s health, we need to stop reacting and start redesigning the system around people’s real lives. That means giving everyone more chances to move, rest, and reset - not just occasionally, but every single day.”