Singapore – Singaporeans are sleeping more on average, getting 7 hours of sleep per night (vs 6.4 hours in 2019) – 6.7 hours on weekdays (vs 6.3 hours in 2019) and 7.5 hours on the weekend (vs 6.7 hours in 2019). This finding was among others announced by Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, in its 5th annual sleep survey, “Wake Up Call: Global Sleep Satisfaction Trends”. (Information of survey below).
Sleep helps the body redistribute energy resources that are primarily used for brain and muscle work to the immune system1. Clocking in at least seven hours of good night’s sleep on a regular schedule can reduce stress levels and improve overall well-being2
Good sleep continues to evade many
While Singaporeans are achieving the recommended minimum hours of sleep per night, sleep satisfaction of Singaporeans remains low, with almost half (49%) of Singaporeans saying they are not satisfied with their sleep. Some even feel disempowered when it comes to trying to get enough sleep, where 34% say getting adequate sleep is beyond their control.
Poor sleep quality is evident in the form of restlessness, and eight in 10 Singaporeans (79%) waking up at least once during the night. Just over half of Singaporeans say they have a good understanding of what prevents them from getting good sleep (59%), or know what they can do to tackle their sleeplessness (61%).
Looking at the factors that inhibit sleep, stress and worry continue to be the top reason (34%), along with one’s sleeping environment (15%) and mobile devices like phones or tablets (14%).
Mobile addiction causing sleep woes
With Singapore’s high mobile penetration rate of 154%3, it is unsurprising that most Singaporeans (82%) who were surveyed use their phones in bed, despite experts’ recommendations not to do so.
Half of Singaporeans (51%) say the last thing they do before falling asleep is looking at their phone, higher than 39% of global adults surveyed, and 45% of Singaporeans look at their phone as soon as they wake up in the morning (vs 39% of global adults). Around 13% even respond to texts and calls that wake them up through the night, preventing them from getting uninterrupted rest.
Hurdles in seeking treatment or diagnosis
Philips’ global sleep survey found that the fear of the unknown is a limiting factor for people getting diagnosed for sleep conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A quarter (26%) of Singaporeans believe they might be at risk of OSA, yet 24% are afraid to take a sleep test because they do not want to know if they have OSA.
As a seldom-discussed, under-diagnosed condition, OSA is characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing throughout the sleep cycle, preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs4. As many as 1 in 3 Singaporeans suffer from OSA, and 91% have not been diagnosed5. Symptoms of OSA include choking or gasping for air during sleep, loud and persistent snoring and excessive daytime fatigue, and poor concentration during the day.
“Although it’s positive that Singaporeans now see the importance of sleep for overall health, it’s still troubling that many are unable to get a restful night of sleep and not wanting to know that they suffer from OSA,” said Ivy Lai, Country Manager, Philips Singapore. “If left untreated, sleep apnea can have serious short and long-term health risks including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure. We would strongly urge Singaporeans to get themselves diagnosed and be treated.”
In search of a good night’s sleep
Faced with the lack of quality sleep, 64% of Singaporeans also say they are interested in new information and strategies to improve their sleep. To combat their sleep woes, Singaporeans this year are experimenting with a variety of methods, including reducing their caffeine consumption (28%), instituting a set bedtime or wake-up schedule (27%) and reading (23%) in pursuit of better sleep.
“The decrease in people taking action to improve sleep is alarming, especially when it is clear people around the world deeply value sleep. Sleep deficit impacts people both mentally and physically, so we need to educate people on available sleep resources and empower them with the confidence that their efforts will pay off,” said Mark Aloia, PhD, Global Lead for Behavior Change, Sleep & Respiratory Care at Philips.
In conjunction with WSD, Philips is offering a Home Sleep Test promotion worth $350 to diagnose for OSA. The first 50 users who have been assessed as high risk of OSA through our Online Sleep Quiz will be able to book for free and for the next 50 users it will be $50. For subsequent users, it will costs as low as $100 for the home sleep test. After completing the booking for a home sleep test, an email will be sent to those who have scheduled an appointment with details for receiving a home sleep test kit.
Additionally, Philips is also offering a free Home Sleep Test Kit to those who suspect themselves or loved ones to be at risk of OSA. The Home Sleep Test kit will be delivered and allows individuals to identify sleep issues in the comfort of their home. Consumers can visit the following site to request for a free Home Sleep Test Kit: https://www.sleeptest.philips.com.sg/
To learn more about the Global Sleep Survey and Philips’ commitment to improving access to sleep technology worldwide, visit Philips.com/WorldSleepDay
| Country | Hours of sleep (per night averaged across the week) | Hours of sleep (average per weekday night) | Hours of sleep (average on weekend night) |
| Global population | 7.0 | 6.8 | 7.5 |
| Japan | 6.6 | 6.4 | 7.0 |
| United Kingdom | 6.7 | 6.6 | 7.0 |
| South Korea | 6.8 | 6.5 | 7.4 |
| United States | 6.8 | 6.7 | 7.0 |
| Italy | 6.8 | 6.6 | 7.3 |
| Australia | 6.9 | 6.8 | 7.2 |
| Singapore | 6.9 | 6.7 | 7.5 |
| Germany | 6.9 | 6.7 | 7.5 |
| India | 7.0 | 6.7 | 7.7 |
| Netherlands | 7.0 | 6.9 | 7.4 |
| France | 7.1 | 6.9 | 7.7 |
| Brazil | 7.2 | 7.0 | 7.6 |
| China | 7.3 | 7.0 | 8.1 |
| Country | Look at their phone as the last thing before falling asleep | Look at their phone as soon as they wake up in the morning | For entertainment (e.g. watching videos, scrolling social media) |
| Global population | 39% | 39% | 34% |
| China | 57% | 53% | 50% |
| Singapore | 51% | 45% | 49% |
| South Korea | 51% | 53% | 37% |
| Brazil | 49% | 55% | 47% |
| India | 43% | 40% | 45% |
| Australia | 35% | 39% | 31% |
| United States | 34% | 42% | 34% |
| Japan | 33% | 33% | 24% |
| Italy | 31% | 32% | 27% |
| France | 26% | 33% | 25% |
| Germany | 26% | 24% | 17% |
| United Kingdom | 26% | 30% | 24% |
| Netherlands | 22% | 24% | 19% |
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2019 sales of EUR 19.5 billion and employs approximately 80,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.
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