Study Shows Philippines Among Laziest Walkers with Only 4,000 Steps a Day: Here's Why

Filipinos are walking less than almost everyone else in the world. A new Stanford study says we average just 4,000 steps a day, making us one of the laziest countries for walking. For context, Hong Kong leads with nearly 7,000 steps daily. That’s almost double what we do.

But before you roll your eyes and blame it on laziness, let’s talk about the real issue. It’s not that we, Filipinos, HATE walking. It’s that our cities make it almost IMPOSSIBLE.

Image credit: University of Stanford

The Stanford study looked at over 700,000 people across 111 countries to map out walking habits. Indonesia came out lowest with only 3,500 steps a day, while Hong Kong topped the list at nearly 7,000.

The Philippines? We sit right in the bottom tier at 4,000 steps. That’s not even half of the 10,000 steps many health experts recommend. The World Health Organization says we need at least 150 minutes of exercise per week to stay healthy. Clearly, we’re nowhere near that. And this gap shows up in our rising health risks like obesity, diabetes, and heart problems.

Image credit: MMDA Facebook Page

Let’s be real, walking in the Philippines is not easy! Sidewalks disappear or turn into parking spaces. Pedestrian lanes are blocked. Pavements are CRACKED, UNEVEN, or just plain dangerous. And don’t get me started on the heat, smoke, and noise pollution.

As a Bulakenya, passing through such roads every day of my life is nothing new. Government of Bulacan might try to cover up the fact that our roads are awful but the words are OUT... we have the WORST roads in the country. No wonder the province is infamously called as LUBACAN.

Our urban planning has always prioritised cars and motorbikes over people. Affordable loans make motorised vehicles tempting, while pedestrians are left to figure out how to squeeze through whatever’s left of the road. Then, you'll see these car-owning scums parking in literal sidewalks or roads! BIGGEST PET PEEVE. So, if people choose to ride instead of walk, can you really blame them?

Also read: You Won’t Believe How Safe, Clean, and Walkable Iloilo City Is (Even the Cats Prove It)

Image credit: Canva Pro | A street near Chinatown in Singapore

Now compare that to cities like Hong Kong and Singapore. There, walking is not a chore - it’s the default. Wide sidewalks, safe crossings, shaded routes, and streets that connect smoothly to public transport make walking part of everyday life.

The Stanford study made it clear: infrastructure plays a huge role in how much people move. If the city makes walking safe and convenient, people will naturally walk more. If not, they’ll find another way. And in the Philippines… that way is usually a tricycle, jeep, or motorbike.

Image credit: Canva Pro

Here’s the funny part… when Filipinos travel, suddenly we’re Olympic-level walkers. A day in Tokyo, Seoul, or Paris? We hit 15,000 to 20,000 steps without complaint. We even brag about it. Why? Because walking in those places is safe, scenic, and actually enjoyable.

Back home, though, we’re stuck at 4,000. Not because we don’t want to walk, but because our cities are built to make us stop. That’s the real laziness! Not of the people but of the system that refuses to prioritise pedestrians.

Also read: 8 Walkable and Bike-Friendly Cities in the Philippines

This study should be a wake-up call. Walking is the cheapest, simplest exercise we have, but our cities make it harder than it should be.

STOP BUILDING MALLS! We're SICK of it!!! Focus on giving people developed and well-urbanized cities with parks for recreation and social gathering! It's time to give Filipino tapayers their much-deserved SAFE, CLEAN, AND WALKABLE STREETS!!!

If we want healthier Filipinos and more liveable communities, we need streets built for people, not just cars. Until then, every extra step you take here is already a small rebellion against a city that doesn’t want you to move.