Sleep Statistics and Facts

Curious about sleep? We've assembled some interesting data and facts about sleep that you might find interesting.

Credit: Aiman Dairabaeva

Sleep is essential for life. It helps our brain recover from the waking period and influences virtually every aspect of our physical and mental health.

Good quality sleep helps to consolidate learning and memory, defend our body against infections, regulates our emotions, and maintain metabolic homeostasis. But we live in a 24/7 society, and we’re facing the consequences. Unsurprisingly, we have seen a considerable increase in sleep problems worldwide.

Below are up-to-date facts and statistics about sleep. First, we’ll look at general sleep data; then, we’ll explore statistics about sleep deprivation and sleep problems in adults and children. Finally, we’ll find out how Americans care for their sleep. So read on to find out more.

General Sleep Data and Facts

• During a typical night of sleep, one experiences four to six sleep cycles. Each cycle lasts 90 minutes on average.

• Sleep has two main phases: NREM and REM. People spend approximately 75% of their sleep time in NREM and 25% in the REM phase.

• NREM sleep has three stages: N1, N2, and N3. People spend approximately 5% of their sleep time in N1, 45% in N2, and 25% in N3.

• We spend about two hours per night dreaming.

• During sleep, your body temperature drops by about 1 °C.

• The metabolism becomes 15% slower during sleep.

• The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and Sleep Research Society (SRS) recommends that healthy adults get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night.

• Studies report that the preferred sleep position is on the side; the front position is the least preferred.

Statistics About Sleep Deprivation

• In the U.S., about 33% of all adults sleep less than recommended.

• Short sleep duration (sleeping less than 7 hours per night) prevalence is higher in men (33.4%) than women (32.2%).

• The prevalence of adults who report short sleep duration is highest in non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian (47.0%) and non-Hispanic Black people (43.5%).

• Among states in the U.S., Colorado has the lowest percentage of adults who sleep less than seven hours per night (29.3%). In turn, West Virginia has the highest percentage, with 42.8% of adults reporting short sleep in this state.

• Americans get the least amount of sleep at age 40. Sleep duration starts to increase again around age 50.

• About half of Americans report feeling sleepy three to seven days a week. Women report feeling sleepy 3.4 days a week, while men report feeling sleepy 2.7 days a week.

• It typically takes around 10 to 15 minutes to fall asleep. Sleeping faster than this may indicate you’re sleep deprived.

Statistics About Sleep Disorders

• In 2020, 14.5% of adults in the U.S. had trouble falling asleep, and 17.8% had difficulty staying asleep.

• Women are more likely to have trouble falling and staying asleep than men. · About 70 million Americans live with a chronic sleep disorder.

• There are more than 80 sleep disorders that can be classified into six types: insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorder, central disorders of hypersomnolence, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, parasomnias, and sleep-related movement disorders.

• Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. Approximately 30 to 40% of adults in the U.S. report insomnia symptoms. · Short-term insomnia affects about 9.5% of the population, and 1 in 5 cases transitions to chronic insomnia, which can persist for years.

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder. It affects 17% of women and 34% of men in the U.S.

• OSA increases the risk of developing heart and metabolic diseases by two to three times.

• Hypersomnolence (excessive sleepiness) is present in 23% of the U.S. population.

• Restless leg syndrome is one of the most common sleep-related movement disorders. It affects roughly 10% of adults and 4% of children in the U.S.

• About 8% of the general population reports teeth grinding. During an episode of bruxism, one can apply 250 pounds of force to the teeth.

• About 5% of adults say they talk in their sleep.

• Around 7% of people are expected to sleepwalk at some point in their lives.

• Narcolepsy affects 135,000 to 200,000 people in the United States.

• Episodes of sleep paralysis are frequent in the general population. In a research, interviewees reported having at least one episode in the previous year. In a survey with international business travelers, 70% reported experiencing jet lag

Statistics About Other Sleep Issues

• One in three Americans describes their sleep as fair or poor. Conversely, more than half (55%) say getting a good night’s sleep is a priority.

• About half of American adults snore at some point in their lives. About 40% of men and 24% of women snore regularly.

• Ten percent of older primary care patients report having night sweats, while 60% of women in obstetrics inpatient units report having night sweats.

• Seventy-five percent of people with frequent heartburn say it has a negative impact on their sleep.

• Approximately 50% of adults aged 50 to 79 get up to go to the bathroom one or two times per night.

• In 2017-2018, 16% of Americans worked a non-daytime schedule; 6% worked evening shifts, and 4% worked night shifts. · In a CDC survey, 1 in 25 adult drivers reported falling asleep while driving in the previous month.

• In 2017, drowsy driving caused 91,000 crashes, 50,000 injuries, and nearly 800 deaths. In 2020, 633 deaths occurred due to drowsy driving in the United States.

• The American economy loses an estimated $44.6 billion annually in unplanned absenteeism due to poor sleep among workers.

Statistics About Sleep in Children and Adolescents

• How much sleep a person needs changes with age. Newborn babies (0-3 months) sleep 14 to 17 hours a day, infants (4-12 months) sleep 12 to 16 hours a day, toddlers (1-2 years old) sleep 11 to 14 hours a day, preschoolers (6-12 years old) sleep 10 to 13 hours a day, and teenagers (13-18 years old) sleep 8 to 10 hours a day.

• Nearly 35% of children in the United States sleep less than recommended for their age group.

• The prevalence of short sleep is highest in children aged 6 to 12 years (38.4%) and non-Hispanic Black (52.7%).

• The American Academy of Pediatrics (ACP) recommends that middle and high schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later to allow students to get enough sleep.

• About 93% of high schools and 83% of middle schools in the U.S. start before 8:30 a.m.

• The prevalence of short sleep duration among high school children increased between 2009 and 2019.

• Among high schoolers, 78% get less sleep than recommended for their age group.

• A higher percentage of female high school students report short sleep duration (79.7%) than male students (76.2%).

• The prevalence of short sleep duration is highest in non-Hispanic Asian students (82.8%).

• Around 20 to 25% of children experience sleep-related difficulties.

• Up to 50% of preschool and school-aged children experience nightmares from time to time.

• Young people are more likely to use smartphones before bedtime than other age groups.

Statistics About Sleep Hygiene

• Most people report exposure to bright light during the day. Overall, 85% of people go outside for at least one hour of daylight exposure.

• Sleep health is best for those who spend a moderate time outdoors in the afternoon.

• Fifty-eight percent of Americans say they often looked at screens during the past week, one hour before bed.

• Most Americans (59%) say they typically have their meals around the same times each day. Older people are more likely to eat meals around the same time as younger adults.

• Nearly all Americans say they participate in some light activity (walking slowly) at least once a week. One in six reports no moderate activity, and 45% reports no vigorous activity.

• About half of Americans report mild or no stress, 35% report moderate stress, and 12% have severe stress.

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