Women Need More Sleep Than Men But Get Less, Study Finds

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Research shows that women often get less and worse sleep than men, despite potentially needing more. Factors like hormonal fluctuations, caregiving responsibilities, and multitasking contribute to the 'gender sleep gap'. Experts recommend that women track their sleep patterns, manage stress, and create a good sleep environment to help address this issue.

Why it matters

The 'gender sleep gap' is a new area of concern, as lack of quality sleep can have significant health and productivity impacts. Understanding the reasons behind this gap is important to help women get the rest they need.

The details

Several studies have found discrepancies in the quantity and quality of sleep between men and women. A 2017 study found that only 48% of mothers under 45 got at least 7 hours of sleep, compared to 62% of women without children. A 2025 global report also showed that 57% of women woke up in an average mood, around 3 points lower than men. Experts attribute this to a combination of biological factors like hormonal changes, as well as social factors like increased caregiving responsibilities that can lead to more anxiety and difficulty winding down at night. Women may actually need 6-28 more minutes of sleep per night than the recommended 7-9 hours.

• A 2017 study found discrepancies in sleep quantity between mothers and women without children.
• A 2025 global report showed differences in morning mood between women and men.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Experts recommend that women track their sleep patterns in relation to hormonal cycles, manage stress through relaxation techniques, and create a good sleep environment to help address the 'gender sleep gap'.