Sleep deprivation leads to the loss of 1.2 million working days due to employees’ missing work or working not to the full capacity.
There is also a higher risk of death among those who suffer from sleep deprivation.
Lead author Marco Hafner said, “Our study shows that the effects from a lack of sleep are massive. Sleep deprivation not only influences an individual’s health and well-being but has a significant impact on a nation’s economy, with lower productivity levels and a higher mortality risk among workers. Improving individual sleep habits and duration has huge implications, with our research showing that simple changes can make a big difference. For example, if those who sleep under six hours a night increase their sleep to between six and seven hours a night, this could add $226.4 billion to the U.S. economy.”
The U.S. takes the biggest hit when it comes to the effects of sleep deprivation, compared to other developed countries. Japan came in second with $138 billion in loses annually. Germany loses about $60 billion a year, the U.K. $50 billion, and Canada coming last on the list with only $21 billion.
Finding effective ways for improving sleep is important for reducing loses as a result of sleep deprivation. Making public awareness campaigns about the importance of sleep may be a good place to start.