In a global study carried out by journal The Lancet which included results from 122 countries, the UK was found to be one of the most inactive countries, with a staggering 63.3 per cent of the population being inactive while Greece was labelled the least lazy nation in the world.
Only 15 per cent of the population of the balmy Mediterranean country, which also boasts one of the world's healthiest diets, was classed as inactive, the Daily Mail reported.
The study found just over 40 per cent of those in North America were inactive, putting it in the 46th spot.
Overall, women rated lower than men in the study. The highest percentage of inactive women was found in countries where they find it difficult to find employment due to social constraints, such as Saudi Arabia, which ranked third least active country with 68.8 per cent of its population inactive.
Southern European country Malta with 71.9 per cent and Swaziland in Southern Africa with 69.0 per cent inactive population topped the list.
UAE with an inactive population of 62.5 per cent, South Africa with 52.4 per cent and Bhutan with 52.3 per cent were also among the top twenty laziest countries in the world.
Of the countries surveyed almost one third of their population is considered inactive. And 80 per cent of adolescents rated as below the standards, the report said.
The researchers pointed out that lack of exercise is now a leading cause of death and a third of people across the world do not meet the minimum activity recommendations, which is generally about 2.5 hours of moderate activity per week.
