Over the past few years, research on sleep has accelerated at a pace that has never been seen before. This has allowed the researchers to make some astonishing discoveries related to sleep statistics that may be of interest to most people. Here are some of the most interesting statistics we found:
- Lack of sleep costs the U.S. over $411 Billion on an annual basis.
- Around 48% of the Americans snore in their sleep.
- Only 8% of the adults sleep on their back, even though it is regarded as the healthiest position.
- Lack of sleep is believed to be the cause of about 3-5% of obesity in adults.
- 62% of the adolescents take their phones to bed with them and 37% of them exchange messages after switching off the light.
- Around 95% of people admit using some sort of electronic device within 60 minutes of bedtime.
- Before the invention of color television, only 15% of people could dream in color.
- 30% of the adult U.S. population suffers from Insomnia.
- Up to 60% of college students experience poor sleep quality.
- People who sleep less than 7 hours each night are 12% more likely to die prematurely.
Sleeping Habit Statistics
Different people have different habits and styles of sleeping. While some have their own preferable positions, others are habitual of sleeping with an electronic device. Some statistics regarding such sleeping habits are mentioned below.
- More than two-thirds of U.S. high school students admit getting less than 8 hours of sleep on school nights.
- Approximately 1.3% of the American adult population use melatonin supplements to fall asleep.
- Around 48% of the Americans snore in their sleep.
- 35% of adults do not sleep more than 7 hours per day.
- 37% of people between the ages of 20 and 39 years-old reported short sleep duration.
- Around 95% of people admit using some sort of electronic device within 60 minutes of bedtime.
- Three-quarters of parents report that their children sleep with at least one electronic device.
- An average person dreams 4 to 6 times per night but tends to forget around 95 to 99% of their dreams the following morning.
- 41% of adults are habitual of sleeping in the fetal position.
- Only 8% of the adults sleep on their back, even though it is regarded as the healthiest position.
Sleep Deprivation Statistics
A major portion of the population is sleep-deprived. Sleep deprivation is a dangerous state which may lead to psychological, physiological, and financial damage.
- 35% of adults do not sleep more than 7 hours per day.
- As compared to married individuals (67%), sleep duration is found to be lesser in unmarried (62%), divorced, separated, or widowed people (56%).
- People who are unemployed or unable to work get a much lower sleep (51 and 60%, respectively) than people with a degree/job.
- Almost 20% of all car crash accidents and injuries are linked with sleep deprivation/ sleepiness.
- Lack of sleep is believed to be the cause of about 3-5% of obesity in adults.
- Over 100,000 deaths are due to to medical errors due because of sleep deprivation.
- 37% of people between the ages of 20 and 39 years-old reported short sleep duration.
- Lack of sleep costs the U.S. over $411 Billion on an annual basis.
- 40% of people between 40 to 59 years of age are getting less than recommended amounts of sleep.
- People who sleep less than 7 hours each night are 12% more likely to die prematurely.
Sleep Disorders Statistics
Sleep disorders refer to the conditions that induce changes in the way you normally sleep. Having a sleep disorder can greatly affect your safety, health, and quality of life. Yet, a major number of people all across the world still continue to suffer from these problems.
Insomnia
- 30% of the adult U.S. population suffers from Insomnia.
- 10% of the U.S. population suffers from chronic Insomnia.
- 40% of all insomnia patients have a coexisting psychiatric condition.
Sleep Apnea
- 25 Million S. adults suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.
- An estimated 10 million people suffering from sleep apnea in the United States remain undiagnosed.
- Over 50% of diagnosed sleep apnea cases are reported in people aged 40 and over.
Narcolepsy
- One in 500 people that carry a gene responsible for developing narcolepsy will actually develop the disorder.
- Only 20-25% of people suffer from all four narcolepsy symptoms, daytime sleepiness, sleep paralysis, sudden loss of muscle function and hallucinations.
- Approximately 135,000 to 200,000 people in the U.S. have narcolepsy which affects both men and women
Restless Leg Syndrome
- 7 to 10% of the U.S. population may have restless leg syndrome.
- Over 80% of people with restless leg syndrome also experience periodic limb movement of sleep.
Dream Statistics
Dreams are basically images and stories created by the human mind as you sleep. These dreams are mostly a consequence of your own memories but the external environment may impact them greatly. Mentioned below are some interesting statistics regarding dreams.
- Processing memories into dream incorporation takes around 7 days.
- 48 percent of characters in our dreams are people we know by name.
- About 75% of the people today are able to dream in color.
- Before the invention of color television, only 15% of people could dream in color.
College Student Sleep Statistics
College life comes with a lot of responsibilities with most students undergoing important developments when starting at college. They have to cope with leaving home, changes in peer groups, maintenance of academic grades, new social situations, and increased independence. A failure to maintain a balance between all these factors may lead to several side effects the most prominent of which is sleep disturbances.
- Up to 60% of college students experience poor sleep quality.
- 7% of the college students successfully meet all criteria of an insomnia disorder.
- Around 31% of all college students suffer from morning tiredness.
- Daytime sleepiness is a major problem in college students with about 50% of them exhibiting it.
- Most college students are sleep deprived with 70.6% of them getting less than 8 hours of sleep.
Sleep and Technology Statistics
Technology has undoubtedly made life easier. It has shortened distances, improved communication, and facilitated every aspect of life. However, just every coin has two sides, technology also comes with its own side effects. Mentioned below are some statistics indicating how technology has affected sleep.
- Around 95% of people admit using some sort of electronic device within 60 minutes of bedtime.
- Three-quarters of parents report that their children sleep with at least one electronic device.
- Approximately 22% of the American citizens go to sleep with their phone ringers on.
- 10% of the Americans wake up a few nights every week due to their cellphones.
- 62% of the adolescents take their phones to bed with them and 37% of them exchange messages after switching off the light.
- 1 out of every 12 adolescents is woken up by a text message in the middle of the night at least twice per week.
- 65% of Japanese people use an electric tablet or laptop in bed.
Sleep Statistics Around The World
Sleep is a universal phenomenon and every individual, irrespective of their area or country, needs it to continue his normal activities of life. The following sleep-related statistics may provide interesting facts from across the globe.
- 83% of Vietnamese parents go to bed with their children.
- 73% of Americans and 80% of Mexicans watch TV within an hour of bedtime.
- 65% of Canadians do not nap at all.
- 65% of Japanese people use an electric tablet or laptop in bed.
- 54% of Japanese people sleep alone compared to only 14% of Canadians.