• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Scientists reveal how much sleep Americans get compared to other countries with surprising results

Home> News> Health

Published 18:29 9 May 2025 GMT+1

Scientists reveal how much sleep Americans get compared to other countries with surprising results

The study challenges the idea that everyone needs eight hours of sleep a night

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

Scientists have revealed how much sleep Americans are getting compared to other countries across the globe as a new study examines what we know about the amount of sleep we need.

Sleeping is extremely important for a healthy lifestyle, there's no doubt about that - but many factors can make it difficult to achieve those crucial eight hours of shut eye every single night.

While it's largely believed the magic eight hours mean you can operate at an optimal level every day, some people are seemingly able to function on less, while others need close to nine or ten hours of sleep.

Advert

But according to a new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia, an optimal amount of sleep may depend on where you live.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have been looking into the data (Getty Stock Photo)
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have been looking into the data (Getty Stock Photo)

The experts looked into sleep and health data of 5,000 people across 20 different countries, where it was revealed that the hours of sleep required for good health varies significantly across different nations.

Dr. Steven Heine, a senior author on the study and professor of social and cultural psychology at University of British Columbia, said: "Despite the common advice to get eight hours of sleep, our findings suggest that sleep recommendations need to be adjusted based on cultural norms.

Advert

"There is no one-size-fits-all amount of sleep that works for everyone."

Americans, on average, are said to get seven hours and two minutes of sleep every single night - relatively low compared to other countries involved in the study.

Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan are the only other nations in the study to have less sleep than Americans.

Many studies have found links between lack of sleep and poor health, but the research done by experts at the University of British Columbia and University of Victoria found no evidence that lower sleep duration leads to increased ill health.

Advert

They looked at sleep habits country to country (Erik Rolfsen/UBC Media Relations)
They looked at sleep habits country to country (Erik Rolfsen/UBC Media Relations)

Dr. Christine Ou, lead author of the study and assistant professor in the school of nursing at the University of Victoria, said: "People who slept closer to their own culture’s norms for sleep duration tended to have better overall health.

"This suggests that the ideal amount of sleep is the amount that matches what is considered appropriate sleep in one’s cultural context."

As for the country that has the most sleep, well, that's France which spends seven hours and 52 minutes in bed every evening.

Advert

The Netherlands and Belgium follow shortly behind, while people in New Zealand and the UK also have over seven hours and 40 minutes kip a night on average.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Adene Sanchez

Topics: Sleep, Health

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
  • 7 hours ago

    Experts issue urgent warning against popular new tanning 'drug' that could cause brain swelling and cancer

    The viral trend promises to give users a natural glowing tan

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Horrifying details emerge after plane carrying 200 passengers flies with no pilot after first officer collapsed

    The plane was diverted and thankfully all 200 passengers onboard landed safely.

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Family win $100,000 in settlement after being accused of not paying $200 bill

    Peter and Ann McGirr were slammed in a Facebook post which falsely claimed they hadn't paid their bill

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Chilling story of man who told family he was leaving with aliens and hasn't been seen since

    What happened to Granger Taylor has remained a mystery for 45 years

    News
  • Experts reveal two simple ways to get better sleep if you wake up at 2am every night
  • Scientists reveal the chilling truth behind what could happen if you die in a dream
  • Scientists reveal if an apple a day keeps the doctor away and how much fruit you should be eating
  • Scientists reveal how much sex is ‘too much’ and why it can have detrimental effects on your health