Most Chinese spend an average of 6.75 hours sleeping; students, office workers, and retirees often sleep only after midnight, and only a fifth stated they do not suffer problems related to sleep.

These are among the findings from a recent study on sleep health across the country released by the China Sleep Research Society.

The study, which surveyed over 10,000 respondents across various demographics, found that factors such as online addiction and extended work hours are major contributors to the reduction in sleep quantity and quality.

According to the report, Chinese individuals now average 6.75 hours of sleep nightly, a significant drop from the 8.5-hour average in 2012 and 7.06 hours in 2021.

Nearly 60% of participants reported suffering from insomnia, while only 19% claimed they did not experience sleep disorders.

According to the report, sleeping problems in China are characterized not only by insufficient duration but also by poor quality. It found that 64% of those surveyed suffer from poor sleep quality due to disturbances like nocturnal and early awakenings, difficulties in falling asleep, and nocturnal urination.

Particularly affected are college students, predominantly from the post-2000 generation, with over half reporting staying up past midnight and spending more than eight hours daily on their smartphones.

In 2023, the China Sleep Research Society warned that over 300 million people were suffering from sleep disorders across the country.

With sleep disorders on the rise, many young Chinese have sought relief through services and products like “sleep assistants,” offering one-on-one bedtime chats, ASMR devices with soothing sounds for relaxation, aromatic candles, and sleep masks.

This surge in demand has fueled the growth of China’s “sleep economy,” which, according to a 2023 report by market research agency iiMedia, reached 495.6 billion yuan ($68.9 billion). The industry is expected to continue to expand, with projections estimating a rise to approximately 658.7 billion yuan by 2027.

Editor: Apurva.

(Header image: VCG)