Sleep Statistics

Over one-third of the general population experience symptoms of insomnia, a sleep disorder. Various studies show that having problems with sleep and mental health challenges are intrinsically linked [1].

Here are some general statistics that connect mental health and sleep:

People with insomnia are 10-17 times more likely to experience depression and anxiety [2].
People with insomnia had a two-fold risk of developing depression.
70-91% of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have difficulties falling asleep or waking [3].
People with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) tend to oversleep (hypersomnia) [4].
Sleep deprivation is linked to depression, suicide, and risk-taking behaviors.

According to research evidence, women are found to suffer from poor sleep quality compared to men.

Here are some general statistics that show the connection between gender and sleep:

Nighttime awakenings are more common in women compared to men due to a difference in intrinsic circadian rhythm [5].
Women are 4 times more likely to develop a sleep-related eating disorder [6].
Women spend 8 minutes longer in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep compared to men [6].
Compared to men, women go into rapid eye movement (REM) sleep earlier than men do [6].
1 in 4 women are at risk of getting sleep apnea [7].

As we age, our sleep patterns will naturally change. It will get harder to maintain sleep and we will experience short sleep duration and decreased deep sleep among others [8].

Here are some general age-related statistics about sleep:

50% of older adults have reported to face sleep problems.
38.3% of those aged 18 to 44, 38.6% of those aged 45 to 64, and 28.1% of those aged 65 and older get less than seven hours of sleep every night [9].
50% of older adults struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep for long.
20% to 60% of older adults take daytime naps.
10-35% of those 65 years of age and above are likely to get restless leg syndrome which contributes to sleep disruptions.