One in Five Danes Can’t Sleep at Night

Maria van der Vliet

Writer

February 28, 2026
7:53 am

A new nationwide survey reveals that while most Danes sleep the recommended seven to nine hours, one in five struggles with sleep problems. Women and young people face the biggest challenges, with screen time emerging as a major barrier to quality rest.

Gender and Age Gaps in Sleep Quality

The latest comprehensive sleep study from the State Institute for Public Health provides new insights into how Danes rest at night. The research surveyed 6,658 people between September and October 2024, examining everything from sleep duration to bedtime habits. The results show clear patterns across different demographic groups.

Women Report More Sleep Difficulties

Women experience sleep problems at a noticeably higher rate than men. The survey found that 22.6 percent of women struggle with sleep issues, compared to 17.5 percent of men. Overall, one in five Danes battles with poor sleep quality, despite most achieving adequate sleep duration.

The difference between genders persists across all age groups. Researchers note that sleep problems involve more than just hours spent in bed. Quality matters as much as quantity, including factors like difficulty falling asleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, and feeling unrested upon waking.

Young Adults Face Steepest Sleep Challenges

Younger Danes demonstrate markedly worse sleep hygiene than older generations. Among those aged 16 to 24, only about 9 percent of men and 8 percent of young women maintain good sleep habits. In contrast, approximately 59 percent of men and 66 percent of women over 65 practice healthy sleep routines.

The survey defines sleep hygiene as habits that promote quality rest. These include consistent bedtimes, limited caffeine consumption, and reduced screen exposure before sleep. Older adults show better adherence to regular sleep patterns and healthier bedroom environments. They also spend more time outdoors earlier in the day, which supports natural sleep cycles.

Screen Time and Modern Sleep Patterns

Technology use before bedtime has emerged as a significant factor affecting sleep quality among Danes. The survey reveals striking differences in how various age groups approach their evenings. These habits appear to directly impact sleep outcomes and overall rest quality.

Nearly All Young People Use Screens Before Bed

Screen time represents the biggest challenge for younger Danes trying to achieve quality sleep. Almost 92 percent of people aged 16 to 24 use electronic devices before going to bed. This habit stands in sharp contrast to recommendations from health experts who advise limiting screen exposure in the hours before sleep.

The blue light emitted by phones, tablets, and computers can interfere with natural sleep patterns. It disrupts the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep cycles. For individuals navigating life in Denmark, understanding the Danish healthcare system’s approach to sleep problems becomes increasingly important.

Lifestyle Factors Shape Sleep Outcomes

Beyond screen usage, multiple lifestyle elements influence how well Danes sleep. The survey examined pre-bedtime routines, sleep environments, and daily habits. Researchers found that people with irregular schedules and poor bedroom conditions report worse sleep quality.

Christina Bjørk Petersen, who helped create the report and serves as a lecturer at the State Institute for Public Health, emphasizes that sleep quality encompasses multiple dimensions. She points to various factors including ease of falling asleep, frequency of waking during the night, and feeling refreshed in the morning. These elements matter as much as total sleep duration.

Positive Findings in Sleep Duration

Despite widespread struggles with sleep quality, the survey uncovered encouraging news about sleep duration among Danes. Most people appear to follow official health recommendations, even if the quality of their rest remains inconsistent. This suggests that awareness of sleep needs exists, even when implementation proves challenging.

Most Danes Meet Recommended Sleep Hours

The Danish Health Authority recommends that adults sleep between seven and nine hours nightly. The survey shows strong compliance with this guideline. About 71.1 percent of women and 67.9 percent of men achieve the recommended sleep duration on weeknights.

On average, Danes sleep 7.1 hours per night during the workweek. That figure rises slightly to 7.6 hours on weekends, suggesting people use days off to catch up on rest. However, researchers caution that meeting hour requirements does not guarantee quality sleep or feeling well rested.

Sleep Partners and Household Arrangements

Living situations significantly influence sleep patterns throughout different life stages. The survey tracked who Danes share their bedrooms with, revealing clear patterns across age groups. These arrangements often reflect broader life circumstances and family structures.

People aged 16 to 24 most frequently sleep alone, with 61.2 percent reporting solo sleeping arrangements. That percentage drops dramatically for those aged 25 to 64, when most people share beds with partners. Among those 25 to 44 years old, 57.7 percent sleep with a partner, while 61.8 percent of the 45 to 64 age group do the same.

Older adults show different patterns again. Among people 65 and over, 44.7 percent sleep alone, possibly reflecting widowhood or separation. Women aged 25 to 44 most commonly share sleeping spaces with children. Meanwhile, nearly 10 percent of all respondents report sleeping with pets, adding another dimension to nighttime arrangements.

Understanding Sleep Chronotypes

Individual preferences for sleep timing vary widely among the Danish population. The survey explored whether people identify as early or late sleepers, categories commonly called chronotypes. These natural tendencies can significantly affect daily functioning and overall wellbeing.

Morning People Outnumber Night Owls

Nearly half of survey respondents identify as A-type people, meaning they prefer going to bed early and waking early. About one third consider themselves B-type individuals who naturally stay up late and rise later. The remaining 18 percent do not identify with either category, suggesting a middle ground exists.

These preferences carry implications beyond simple scheduling. The research indicates that B-type people report sleep problems more frequently than their early-rising counterparts. This pattern may reflect conflicts between natural tendencies and societal expectations like standard work hours.

Growing Concerns About Sleep Insufficiency

Recent data from TrygFonden and the University of Southern Denmark reveals troubling trends over the past decade. The proportion of Danish adults experiencing insufficient sleep climbed from 10 percent in 2013 to 16 percent in 2023. This represents a significant deterioration in national sleep health.

Multiple factors contribute to this decline. Rising smartphone adoption, increased work pressures, and lifestyle changes all play roles. The pattern suggests that despite awareness of sleep importance, modern life increasingly interferes with achieving quality rest. No major policy interventions have yet reversed this trend.

Expert Recommendations for Better Sleep

Health professionals in Denmark have developed specific guidelines to help people improve their sleep quality. These recommendations address common problems identified in recent surveys. They focus on practical changes anyone can implement regardless of their living situation or schedule.

Creating an Optimal Sleep Environment

Danish health authorities recommend keeping bedrooms dark, quiet, and cool. Smartphones should be placed on airplane mode and stored in drawers rather than on nightstands. Televisions do not belong in sleeping areas, as they encourage prolonged wakefulness and screen exposure.

Maintaining consistent bedtimes helps regulate natural sleep cycles. People should avoid vigorous exercise or stressful activities in the hours before bed. When partners disturb each other’s sleep through snoring or movement, experts suggest considering separate sleeping arrangements. This practical advice acknowledges that shared beds do not suit everyone.

Timing of Food and Substances

What people consume and when they consume it significantly affects sleep quality. Health experts advise limiting caffeine intake, particularly in afternoon and evening hours. Alcohol may help people fall asleep initially but leads to shallower, less restorative rest throughout the night.

Regular meal timing supports healthy sleep patterns. Heavy meals close to bedtime can cause discomfort and interfere with falling asleep. For those experiencing persistent sleep problems despite following these guidelines, self-assessment tools exist through the public health portal sundhed.dk. Scores above 10 on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale warrant medical consultation.

The Technology Tracking Debate

Consumer sleep tracking devices have gained popularity in recent years. Smartwatches, fitness bands, and specialized rings promise to monitor sleep quality and provide insights. However, experts increasingly question the accuracy and value of these technologies.

Limitations of Consumer Sleep Devices

Sleep trackers rely primarily on heart rate and movement detection to estimate sleep stages. This approach lacks the precision of clinical sleep studies, which use brain wave monitoring and other sophisticated measurements. Experts warn that consumer devices cannot truly assess sleep quality or identify most sleep disorders.

The technology may provide motivational benefits for some users. Seeing data about sleep patterns can encourage people to prioritize rest and maintain consistent schedules. However, the same information can backfire for others, creating anxiety about achieving perfect sleep metrics.

Risk of Sleep-Related Stress

Health professionals have identified a phenomenon they call sleep stress, where excessive focus on tracking creates new problems. People may become worried about their numbers rather than listening to their bodies. This worry itself can interfere with falling asleep and reduce rest quality.

Trackers cannot replace professional medical assessment when genuine sleep disorders exist. They should be viewed as rough indicators rather than diagnostic tools. For individuals with persistent concerns, consultation with healthcare providers remains essential. The devices work best as supplements to healthy habits rather than primary solutions.

Ongoing Research and Future Directions

The Danish research community continues investigating sleep health from multiple angles. New studies aim to understand how interventions might improve outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations. These efforts reflect growing recognition of sleep’s importance to public health.

Focus on Children and Youth

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Rigshospitalet launched a study in January 2023 examining sleep interventions for young people. The Novo Nordisk Foundation funds this project, which addresses the reality that children and teenagers often sleep less than recommended amounts. Early results could inform policies affecting schools and families.

The research complements adult-focused studies by targeting sleep habits during formative years. Poor sleep patterns established in youth often persist into adulthood. Successful interventions during childhood might prevent later problems and improve long-term health outcomes across the population.

Broader Public Health Implications

The steady increase in insufficient sleep from 2013 to 2023 raises concerns about societal trends. Rising smartphone use, work pressures, and unstable routines all contribute to the problem. Without effective interventions, these patterns may continue worsening.

Sleep problems affect more than individual wellbeing. They reduce productivity, increase accident risks, and strain healthcare systems. Addressing sleep health requires coordinated efforts across multiple sectors. Solutions may involve workplace policies, educational programs, and continued research into effective treatments for various sleep disorders.