Three-quarters of workers have called in sick at least once over career due to poor sleep
A new study has revealed that sleep problems are widespread in Singapore, with many people choosing to endure poor sleep rather than seek help.
ResMed’s fifth annual Global Sleep Survey, which gathered insights from 30,026 respondents across 13 countries, found that one in three Singaporeans report struggling with poor sleep—significantly higher than the global average of 22 percent.
"Sleep is as vital to health as diet and exercise, yet millions struggle in silence," said Carlos Nunez, ResMed’s Chief Medical Officer. "This research highlights an urgent gap in awareness and action—one that needs immediate attention to improve global health outcomes."
The study found that Singaporeans experience higher levels of stress-related sleep issues than many other countries. Among Singapore respondents:
65 percent said stress was a major factor disrupting their sleep, compared to the global average of 57 percent.
51 percent cited anxiety as a cause of sleeplessness.
35 percent reported financial concerns affecting their sleep.
While well-rested individuals report better mood, concentration, and productivity, those struggling with sleep often experience excessive daytime sleepiness, irritability, and difficulty focusing.
Despite recognizing the importance of sleep, many Singaporeans take little action to improve it, said ResMed. While nearly 90 percent of respondents globally believe sleep enhances their well-being, only 24 percent said they take immediate steps to address sleep problems. In Singapore, 33 percent admitted to simply "living with" poor sleep, surpassing the global average.
The survey also found that women in Singapore face greater challenges with sleep than men.
Women report disrupted sleep more often than men, at 17 percent compared to 13 percent.
On average, women experience fewer nights of quality sleep per week (3.83 vs. 4.13 for men).
38 percent of women struggle to fall asleep, compared to 29 percent of men.
Hormonal changes, including menopause, contribute to sleep disturbances, with 44 percent of menopausal women reporting difficulty sleeping at least three times per week.
Lack of sleep is also affecting Singapore’s workforce. The survey found that:
73 percent of Singaporeans have called in sick at least once in their career due to poor sleep.
This places Singapore among the highest globally, following India (94 percent) and China (78 percent).
Nearly half of workers feel that their employers do not prioritize sleep health, presenting an opportunity for workplace policies to support better sleep habits.
The ResMed survey also highlighted how poor sleep is affecting relationships, with many Singaporeans opting for "sleep divorce"—sleeping separately from their partners to improve sleep quality.
Nearly half (49 percent) of Singaporeans have tried sleeping in separate rooms, well above the global average of 18 percent.
Among those who tried sleep separation, 64 percent said it improved their sleep quality.
Snoring was the leading cause of partner-related sleep disturbances, affecting 33 percent of Singaporeans.
Women were significantly more affected by their partners' snoring than men (45 percent vs. 23 percent).
"Chronic poor sleep impacts our relationships, workplace productivity, and increases the risk of cognitive decline, mood disorders, and serious health conditions like heart failure and stroke,” said Nunez. “For individuals with untreated or poorly managed sleep apnea, these risks are even greater. That’s why talking with a doctor about treating disrupted sleep is important.”
ResMed conducted the study in December 2024, surveying 30,026 people across 13 countries. In Singapore, 1,000 respondents participated, with the sample representative of the country’s gender and age distribution.
