The largest report ever by home furnishings retailer IKEA, surveying over 55,000 people across 57 markets, reveals that Mainland China ranks highest in sleep quality, while Norway and the United States score the lowest. The findings also highlight a global sleep gap of 1 hour and 20 minutes, with people worldwide missing out on significant rest each night—equating to over 20 full days of lost sleep annually.
Where Do People Sleep Best?
While Mainland China leads in sleep duration, with most averaging over 7 hours per night, Norway and the United States struggle, with Americans reporting the most disrupted sleep. 64% of Egyptians rate their sleep as good, the highest globally, while financial stress, screen time, and inconsistent routines negatively impact rest in other regions.
“Sleep is an important factor for life quality. At IKEA, we’re committed to understanding people’s sleep challenges and providing solutions—whether through smart bedroom designs, better sleep environments, or simple daily habits,” says Belén Frau, global communication and positioning manager, IKEA Retail (Ingka Group), in a release.
Why Are We Losing Sleep?
The study identifies stress, financial concerns, and technology use as the biggest obstacles to quality sleep:
- 40% cite stress and overthinking as their main sleep disruptors,
- 72% use phones in bed, increasing to 86% among 18-24-year-olds, and
- 19% rely on medication, with 5% using it daily.
Sleep Inequality
The IKEA Sleep Score exposes stark inequalities in sleep quality, with financially insecure individuals, the LGBTQ+ community, and women with young children scoring well below the global average.
“Many people sleep in shared or multifunctional spaces, making rest even more challenging. By understanding these realities, we can design products that improve everyday life,” says Jasper Wuts, range insights manager, IKEA of Sweden, in a release.
ID 40078958 | Bed © Dk88888 | Dreamstime.com
