Gallup Poll Shows US Adults Are More Stressed and Sleep Deprived Than Ever Before

Gallup asked this same question in 2001, 2004, and 2013. In all prior years, results were nearly reversed, with more than half of respondents saying they receive the amount of sleep they need.

Another poll question may explain the reason for this reversal. Since 1942, Gallup has asked people how many hours they sleep each night. In 1942, 59% of respondents said they slept for eight or more hours per night. In 2023, only 26% reported getting at least eight hours of nightly sleep. 

Experts recommend that adults sleep for at least seven hours each night. Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source But a record 20% of respondents to the 2023 survey said they sleep less than five hours per night. That’s up from 14% in the 2013 Gallup poll.

The Gallup survey also reveals that the tendency to fall short on sleep doesn’t occur equally across genders and age groups. For example, only 36% of women polled in 2023 said they get the amount of sleep they need, compared to 48% of men.

As a group, older adults seem to get the healthiest sleep, with 55% of those 65 or older reporting they get the amount of sleep they need. Those between 30 and 49 years old fared the worst, with only 34% of this group saying they get sufficient sleep.

The Gallup polling suggests that increased stress may be a contributor to less sleep. In 2023, 63% of people who said they would benefit from sleeping more also reported experiencing frequent stress. Of those who said they get enough sleep, only 31% said they’re frequently stressed.

Overall, the Gallup survey data paints a bleak picture of an overstressed, overtired U.S. population, with women between the ages of 18 and 49 the most likely to be sleep deprived and under frequent stress.