India not sleeping well, over 61% get less than 6 hrs of sleep

Ahead of World Sleep Day 2024, a survey has revealed disturbing trends of sleeping patterns in the country. As per a study conducted by LocalCircles, total 61% of Indians surveyed got less than 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night in the last 12 months. However, 72% of respondents said that they wake up to use the washroom once or more during their sleep.

The study has received over 41,000 responses from citizens located in 309 districts of India. Out of total 66% respondents were men while 34% respondents were women. 41% respondents were from tier 1, 24% from tier 2 and 35% respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts. The survey asked “How many hours of uninterrupted sleep have you generally gotten at night in the last 12 months?” The question received 13,557 responses with the largest group of 38% stating that they generally got only “4-6 hours” uninterrupted sleep at night in the past 12 months and 23% stated “up to 4 hours”.

Of the rest, 28% of respondents stated “6-8 hours” uninterrupted sleep at night in the past 12 months; 6% stated “8-10 hours” and 5% stated over 10 hours. To sum up, 61% of Indians surveyed got less than 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night in the last 12 months.

72% of respondents state that they wake up to use the washroom once or more during their sleep There are many reasons why people are not able to get uninterrupted sleep at night for even 6 hours.

The survey asked respondents, “What are all the different interruptions you generally experience that prevent you from getting 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night?” Some among the 14,078 who responded to this query stated more than one reason for their sleep interruption at night. The main reason stated by 72% is “have to use the washroom once or more during the sleep time”; 43% stated that they went “late to bed and schedule/ household activity in the early morning hours”; 25% indicated “other factors like mosquitoes, external sounds”; 22% of respondents stated “just can’t sleep for 8 hours straight”; 10% stated “children or partner related interruption”; 7% stated “mobile calls and messages related interruption”; 2% indicated “uncomfortable bed/ mattress”; and 7% stated “other interruptions” not stated above.

In addition, 15% of the respondents stated that this question is “not applicable” to them as they sleep for 8 hours or more generally. 26% Indians surveyed say their sleep quality has deteriorated post the COVID pandemic.