India’s Sleep Crisis: Despite employer support, nearly half have taken sick leave due to fatigue

Despite eight in 10 Indian employees believing their employers prioritise sleep health—the highest among surveyed countries—nearly half (47%) of them have taken sick leave at least once in their careers due to sleep deprivation, according to healthtech company ResMed’s fifth annual Global Sleep Survey, findings of which were made public on Friday.The report, based on insights from more than 30,000 respondents across 13 markets, indicates that while sleep is increasingly recognised as essential to well-being, a significant gap remains between awareness and action.

“Sleep is just as important for overall health and well-being as diet and exercise, yet many continue to struggle without seeking help,” said Carlos M Nunez, chief medical officer at ResMed. “This study highlights a significant gap between awareness and action, emphasising the urgent need to prioritise sleep health on a global scale.”

The survey found that nearly half (49%) of Indian respondents struggle to fall asleep at least three times a week.

While one in two respondents said they would seek help immediately if they had sleep disturbances, most either postpone action or continue to live with poor sleep. Women are more likely than men to take proactive steps, with 58% seeking help compared to 41.92% of men.

Sleep deprivation is affecting job performance across India.In addition to nearly half of employees taking sick leave due to fatigue, nearly four in 10 (37%) Indian respondents work night shifts starting after 9 PM, disrupting natural sleep cycles and increasing the risk of chronic sleep deprivation.With an average of 3.83 nights of good sleep per week compared to 4.13 for men, women in India experience poorer sleep quality than men. With hormonal changes playing a key role, 38% of women struggle to fall asleep compared to 29% of men. The effect of sleep deprivation on work is also more pronounced among women—17% of Indian women have taken sick leave due to poor sleep, compared to 12% of men.

The impact of menopause is particularly stark—44% of menopausal women globally struggle to fall asleep at least three times a week compared to 33% of non-menopausal women.

Sleep struggles don’t just impact work—they also affect relationships.

The study found that 41% of Indians in relationships experience sleep disturbances caused by their partners—the highest among all surveyed countries and more than double the global average of 16%.

Snoring is the biggest culprit, affecting 34% of respondents, with Baby Boomers (47%) being the most impacted.

To cope, many have resorted to drastic measures—more than four in 10 (42%) Indian respondents have permanently chosen to sleep in a separate room.