The questionnaire data of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 were used to determine the actual physical activity level in Germany. With the use of similar data from the National Health Surveys 1990/92 changes in activity level over time were estimated. At present, a large part of the population is sedentary during leisure time. Among men this proportion is larger in the eastern part and among older women in the western part of Germany. The proportion of young sedentary women is, however, smaller in the eastern part of Germany. The proportion of men engaged in sport for two hours per week or more, is larger in the western part of Germany. Among West and East German women this proportion is almost equal, although among younger women more are active in the eastern part. During the last seven years, the proportion of sedentary men younger than 50 years of age has grown, whereas the same proportion has declined among those over 50 years of age. Among women a similar decline is apparent above 30 years of age and more pronounced as it is for men. In general, the proportion of active men and women engaged in sport during leisure time for more than 2 hours per week has increased.