Sleep like your life depends on it. Because it does.

We say we’re sleeping better, but how we feel the next day suggests otherwise.

Despite most of us saying we’re satisfied with the quantity of our sleep, an even larger majority of us report daytime and nighttime symptoms that suggest many of us still suffer poor sleep quality.1ResMed surveyed 20,069 people over the age of 18 in 12 countries. Fielding was conducted in January 2023 by the Qualtrics fielding platform.

Illustration of woman sleeping on her back showing her head on a pillow with and her eyes closed.

Over 80% of respondents to the 2023 Global Sleep Survey report experiencing symptoms of disruption related to their sleep quality, despite 64% saying they’re satisfied with the quantity of their sleep. Leading symptoms include:

  • Mood changes (e.g., depression or irritability) (33%)
  • Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat (30%)
  • Difficulty concentrating during the day (30%)
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness (29%)
Sleep is essential to optimizing our overall immunity and well-being. It’s also one of the American Heart Association’s Essential 8™ keys to optimizing heart health. 2American Heart Association 2022 Good quality sleep that last 7-9 hours per night for the average adult3Hirshkowitz M et al. Sleep Health 2025 can help you feel energized and productive throughout the day, not to mention help protect you from long-term health issues.

When it comes to sleep, quantity does not equal quality.

In a typical week, respondents around the world report sleeping approximately 7 hours per night. However, 81% reported having symptoms related to poor sleep quality.

  • India 82% 82%
  • Mexico 87% 87%
  • China 81% 81%
  • Brazil 84% 84%
  • Singapore 81% 81%
  • Germany 79% 79%
  • US 79% 79%
  • France 87% 87%
  • So. Korea 85% 85%
  • Australia 81% 81%
  • Japan 60% 60%
  • UK 82% 82%
Could a sleep disorder also be to blame?

While more than 80% of respondents reported symptoms of disruption that affect their sleep quality, which could indicate a sleep disorder, one-third (33%) said they haven’t been tested for sleep apnea or sought medical help for other sleep conditions because they do not think they have sleep-related medical conditions.

Leading reasons for not getting tested or otherwise taking the next step to address potential sleep issues:

%

don’t know how to get started

%

have concerns about the cost of treatment

%

fear potential results

%

doubt treatment will improve their health
Nearly one billion people worldwide have sleep apnea,4Benjafield AV et al. Lancet Respir Med 2019 but more than 80% don’t know they have it.5Young T et al. Sleep 1997 Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders, occurring when the muscles in the throat relax to the point of collapse, restricting airflow. This causes breathing to become shallow and eventually stop for 10 or more seconds at a time, depriving the brain and body of oxygen. Lack of deep sleep can cause significant fatigue and raise the risk of serious health problems.

Are you at risk for sleep apnea?

Untreated sleep apnea is linked to serious health problems like diabetes and heart disease. But the good news is that it’s treatable. Take this free, one-minute quiz to see if you may be at risk.

Click here
Illustration of smiling doctor wearing glasses dressed in a white in a lab coat and purple shirt.

More sleep stats.

%

of respondents report anxiety and depression are keeping them awake at night

%

of women report usually waking up with a negative feeling in the morning

%

of respondents equate snoring with good sleep despite it being the number one indicator of sleep apnea in men and women6Young T et al. Arch Intern Med 1996

%

of Millennials report using a sleep tracker, making them more likely to consult with sleep tracking technology compared to other generations

What’s keeping people up at night?

33% of respondents said anxiety/depression is one thing that keeps them up at night:

By Country

  • Brazil 46% 46%
  • US 45% 45%
  • Australia 42% 42%
  • UK 42% 42%
  • China 39% 39%
  • France 37% 37%
  • Mexico 36% 36%
  • Singapore 30% 30%
  • South Korea 25% 25%
  • Japan 24% 24%
  • India 22% 22%
  • Germany 21% 21%

By generation

  • Millenials (27-42) 35% 35%
  • Gen Z (18-26) 34% 34%
  • Gen X (43-58) 31% 31%
  • Boomers (59-77) 22% 22%
  • Silent (78-95) 17% 17%

Other leading self-reported factors:

%

Work-related concerns

%

Noises outside the bedroom

%

Financial pressures

%

Family or relationship issues

%

Screens / electronic devices

Awaken Your Best Podcast

The Truth about Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Part 2)

Dr. Atul Malhotra, one of the world’s most influential physicians and researchers in sleep and respiratory medicine, joins us for Part 2 of an honest discussion about the obesity impact on sleep health, the growing prevalence of sleep apnea, and why treating the whole patient matters.

Listen to the Awaken Your Best podcast series on your favorite platform

Resources for better sleep.

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