In-time for the 2012 London Olympics, British medical magazine – The Lancet has conducted a series of studies for over 122 countries by medical journal to reveal the ones with the highest levels of inactivity in the world – in other words, which nation is the laziest in the world. The researchers concluded that a lack of exercise is now a leading cause of death, 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).

The researchers point out that the publication of the studies at the time of the summer Olympics is not a coincidence. Although the world will be watching elite athletes from many countries compete in sporting events requiring tremendous training, skill, and fitness, most spectators will be quite inactive. They hope that the timing of the series, along with Olympic excitement, will give people a push into more physical action. Here’s the countdown:

20- Bhutan: 52.3% inactive

19 – South Africa: 52.4% inactive

18 – Ireland: 53.2% inactive

17 – Italy: 54.7% inactive

16 – Cyprus: 55.4% inactive

15- Turkey: 56.0% inactive

14 – Iraq: 58.4% inactive

13 – Namibia: 58.5% inactive

12 – Dominican Republic: 60.0% inactive

11 – Japan: 60.2% inactive

10 – Malaysia: 61.4% inactive

9 – United Arab Emirates: 62.5% inactive

8 – Britain: 63.3% inactive

7 – Kuwait: 64.5% inactive

6 – Micronesia: 66.3% inactive

5 – Argentina: 68.3% inactive

4 – Serbia: 68.3% inactive

3 – Saudi Arabia: 68.8% inactive

2 – Swaziland: 69.0% inactive

1 – Malta: 71.9% inactive

The U.S.A came in at the 46th spot with just over 40 percent of the population being labeled inactive. Greece was the most active with only about 15% of their population not meeting the standards.

Do you get adequate daily exercise?