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Young Chinese Struggle With Sleep Amid Rising Anxiety
29 May
Summary
- National survey reveals average sleep duration decreased for adults.
- Younger respondents experience longer sleep onset latency.
- Increased screen time and anxiety contribute to widespread insomnia.
Younger generations in China are increasingly suffering from sleeplessness, a trend experts attribute to escalating anxiety and depression. A nationwide survey conducted in 2024 by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that adults aged 15 and above now average just 7.24 hours of sleep per night.
This figure represents a noticeable drop from approximately 7.5 hours reported two decades prior. The decrease, while seemingly small, is considered a substantial public health concern for China's vast population. Further analysis indicates that adults lie awake for about half an hour before sleeping.
Younger respondents, in particular, are experiencing greater difficulties. They tend to go to bed later, take longer to fall asleep, and are more likely to use sleep aids. A 2024 white paper from the China Sleep Research Society noted that college students born after 2000 spend an average of eight hours daily on screens, often using them until after midnight.
