Youth Physical Fitness Monitoring in Estonia Postponed Until 2028
Estonia's planned state monitoring of youth physical fitness has been delayed until at least 2028, as legislative changes are needed and the current government cannot implement it.
The Estonian Riigikogu's Social Affairs Committee discussed ways to increase youth physical activity as a matter of national importance on July 4. The committee asked the Ministry of Education and Science about the progress of creating a monitoring database for children's physical development. The database is planned following Finland's example, where tests are conducted annually for 5th and 8th graders. A Finnish study showed that low physical activity costs the state €3.2 billion per year, while increasing active lifestyle from 23% to 50% would save €1 billion.
Committee Chair Signe Riisalo (Reform Party) stressed that the committee wants to push the ministry to act. She supports the monitoring, noting it does not contradict the new mobility subject introduced in fall 2024, where grades are no longer based on sports results but are summary assessments. "One thing is a grade on a report card, another is monitoring for state statistics," Riisalo explained.
However, Education Minister Kristina Kallas (Estonia 200) stated that the current government will not implement this initiative. Mass collection of personal data requires amendments to the Basic Schools and Upper Secondary Schools Act, which takes time. She mentioned that one option under discussion is a level-test format, assessing a sample rather than every child. Optimistically, state monitoring could start in 2028.
The Estonian Defence Forces have expressed concern about youth fitness, as the pass rate for physical tests declines yearly. To encourage better-prepared conscripts, since last year the state pays €50 extra per month to conscripts scoring at least 240 out of 300 points.
Scientists at the University of Tartu have already developed a first version of the monitoring system, tested in a pilot project. It measures a 20-meter run, standing long jump, hand dynamometer grip, and flexibility.
