Share of adults getting insufficient sleep in the U.S. 2022, by age

In 2022, it was estimated that around 38 percent of adults in the United States aged 18 to 44 years did not get enough sleep. In comparison, around 28 percent of adults aged 65 years and older had insufficient sleep. Getting less than seven hours of sleep every day is considered insufficient sleep.

Insufficient sleep in the United States

The percentage of adults in the United States reporting insufficient sleep has remained relatively unchanged over the past decade. However, the year 2020 saw an unusual drop in the share of adults reporting not getting enough sleep, likely due to people working less or from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, around 38 percent of men and 36 percent of women in the U.S. reported not getting enough sleep. Getting sufficient sleep can reduce stress and improve mood, lower the risk of chronic disease, and help to maintain a healthy weight.

How common are sleeping problems?

A survey of U.S. adults from 2022 found that only 46 percent reported having no trouble sleeping, while 15 percent had trouble falling asleep, 28 percent trouble staying asleep, and 11 percent trouble falling and staying asleep. Common reasons for having a poor night’s sleep or trouble sleeping include needing to use the bathroom, physical discomfort, and being too hot. To improve sleep habits, the CDC recommends going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, regularly exercising, avoiding alcohol before bed and caffeine in the afternoon and evening, and keeping the bedroom cool, quiet, and relaxing.