A sleep deprivation have a significant effect on the U.S economy. A lack of sleep among the working population is costing the country up to $411 billion a year, which is 2.28 percent of its GDP, a new report reveals. While increasing nightly sleep from under six hours to between six and seven hours could add $226.4 billion to the U.S. economy.
Sleeping between seven and nine hours per night is described as the “healthy daily sleep range”.
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According to researchers sleep deprivation increases the risk of mortality by 13 per cent and leads to the U.S. losing around 1.2 million working days a year.
Productivity losses at work occur through a combination of absenteeism, employees not being at work, and presenteeism, where employees are at work but working at a sub-optimal level.
The study at the not-for-profit RAND Corporation, ‘Why Sleep Matters – The Economic Costs of Insufficient Sleep’- is the first of its kind to quantify the economic losses due to lack of sleep among workers in five different countries – the U.S, UK, Canada, Germany, and Japan.
Marco Hafner, the research leader says: “Our study shows that the effects from a lack of sleep are massive. Sleep deprivation not only influences an individual’s health and wellbeing but has a significant impact on a nation’s economy, with lower productivity levels and a higher mortality risk among workers.”
“Improving individual sleep habits and duration has huge implications, ” Hafner added, “with our research showing that simple changes can make a big difference.”
- The U.S. has the biggest financial losses (up to $411 billion, which is 2.28 percent of its GDP) and most working days lost (1.2 million) due to sleep deprivation among its workforce.
- This was closely followed by Japan (up to $138 billion, which is 2.92 percent of its GDP, and around 600, 000 working days lost).
- Germany (up to $60 billion, which is 1.56 percent of its GDP, and just over 200, 000 working days lost) and the U.K (up to $50 billion, which is 1.86 percent of its GDP, and just over 200, 000 working days lost) have similar losses.
- Canada was the nation with the best sleep outcomes, but still has significant financial and productivity losses (up to $21.4 billion, which is around 1.35 percent of its GDP, and just under 80, 000 working days lost).
To improve sleep outcomes, the report outlines a number of recommendations for individuals, employers and public authorities:
The report outlines a number of recommendations for individuals, employers and public authorities:
Individuals:
- Set consistent wake-up times
- Limit the use of electronic items before bedtime
- Physical exercise during the day
Employers:
- Recognize the importance of sleep and the employer’s role in its promotion
- Design and build brighter workspaces with facilities for daytime naps; combat workplace psychosocial risks
- Discourage the extended use of electronic devices after working hours
Public authorities:
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Support health professionals in providing sleep-related help
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Encourage employers to pay attention to sleep issues
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Introduce later school starting times
