Philips surveyed 6,461 adults across five countries—the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Japan—for World Sleep Day to explore attitudes toward sleep, preparation habits, and its impact on daily life, from work and relationships to hobbies. The study reveals that while sleep's value is widely acknowledged, everyday demands push it down the priority list. Notably, 84% of adults worldwide rank other activities ahead of a good night's sleep.
No country disputes sleep's role in overall well-being: 92% of respondents globally view it as essential for health. Many also link sleep quality directly to life satisfaction and relationships. Key findings include:
Sleep boosts relationships: 74% worldwide say a good night's sleep is key to a happy marriage, highest in Japan (89%), followed by the US (79%) and the Netherlands (71%).
One bad night hits hard: 82% experience negative effects from a single poor night's sleep, with France (87%) and Japan (86%) most affected. Top impacts: looking tired (40%), reduced productivity (37%), and low motivation (35%).
Worldwide, 84% prioritize other life aspects over sleep. Highlights:
Family first: 53% in France, 46% in the US, and 48% in Germany favor family time over sleep.
Work rarely trumps sleep—except slightly in the US: Just 10% of working adults in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Japan prioritize work, rising to 13% in the US. There, 30% of working adults send work emails late at night.
Pre-bed habits favor screens: While routines vary, 28% worldwide watch TV before bed. Alarmingly, 47% end their day with screens (TV, e-reading, email, social media, or web surfing), despite evidence recommending avoidance.
