Stress emerges as the top cause of poor sleep for 67 percent of South Koreans. Gettyimagebank

Nearly seven in 10 South Koreans struggle with poor sleep due to stress, with 67 percent identifying it as the leading cause.

According to the 5th Global Sleep Survey released on March 2 by global sleep solutions company ResMed, the study surveyed 30,026 participants across 13 countries, including 1,500 South Koreans.

The findings showed that respondents, on average, failed to get sufficient sleep about three times per week. Nearly 30 percent of participants worldwide and 37 percent of South Koreans reported difficulty falling asleep or maintaining deep sleep at least three times a week.

Stress was identified as the leading cause of poor sleep, with 67 percent of South Korean respondents and 57 percent globally citing it as the primary factor.

Other major contributors included anxiety (49 percent in South Korea, 46 percent globally) and financial pressure (22 percent in South Korea, 31 percent globally). Over half of Generation Z (53 percent) cite anxiety as a factor disrupting their sleep globally.

Despite experiencing sleep issues, most respondents were not taking active measures to improve their sleep health. In South Korea, 17 percent of respondents reported simply enduring their sleep deprivation without seeking solutions.

Lack of sleep was found to have a direct impact on workplace performance. Among working respondents, 71 percent worldwide reported taking at least one sick day due to sleep deprivation.

The highest rates were recorded in India (94 percent), followed by China (78 percent), Singapore (73 percent), and the United States (70 percent). In comparison, South Korea had a lower rate of 53 percent.

'Sleep divorce'

The survey highlights the impact of sleep on relationships. Thirty-two percent of couples say their partner's snoring, loud breathing or gasping — often linked to sleep apnea — disrupts their sleep. About 18 percent of couples have opted for a “sleep divorce,” permanently sleeping apart due to snoring or restlessness.

Among those who sleep separately, 31 percent reported improved relationships, while 30 percent felt theirs had worsened. Sleep separation also affects intimacy, with 28 percent saying their sex life has improved and 22 percent experiencing a decline.

The survey revealed that women tend to experience lower sleep quality than men. Globally, women reported getting quality sleep for an average of 3.83 days per week, compared to 4.13 days for men.

In South Korea, the figures were 3.38 days for women and 3.82 days for men. Additionally, 38 percent of women reported difficulty sleeping, compared to 29 percent of men.

Experts attribute this disparity to hormonal changes, including menopause, which can significantly impact women's sleep patterns.

This article is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.