Climate Change Linked to Increased Sleep Loss Globally
A recent analysis by Climate Central highlights the growing impact of climate change on sleep patterns worldwide. Between 2020 and 2025, the average person lost nearly 56 hours of sleep annually due to higher nighttime temperatures, with approximately six hours directly attributed to climate change. Urban heat islands and rising global temperatures exacerbate this issue, particularly in regions already experiencing extreme heat. Cities in the Middle East, such as those in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, reported the highest climate change-linked sleep losses, ranging from 12 to 16 hours annually. The study also found that the climate change-related portion of sleep loss has doubled globally since the 1970s, with some cities experiencing a tripling of this impact. Vulnerable populations, including older adults, women, and residents of lower-income countries, are disproportionately affected. 
