The UAE has been ranked among the top six cities globally with the least amount of overall sleep, according to data released by the wearable company Whoop.
The findings, published at the end of December 2023, shed light on the sleep patterns of residents across various cities, with the UAE performing poorly in terms of total sleep duration.
However, the data also highlighted a silver lining: the country’s residents excel in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, a crucial phase of deep, restorative rest.
According to Whoop, a leading wearable technology company with millions of customers across over 60 countries, the UAE ranked third-lowest globally in sleep performance, with an average score of just 74 percent.
Sharjah, Jeddah, and Dubai topped the global list for the lowest sleep performance, with Sharjah coming in first place at 72.9 percent.
Despite the poor overall sleep performance, the UAE stands out for its high percentage of REM sleep. “The UAE ranks second globally after India for the highest REM sleep percentage at 22 percent,” said Stephan Muller, Marketing Director for Whoop in the GCC region.
REM sleep is typically associated with deeper rest and recovery, with significant benefits for mental clarity and overall health. Muller emphasized that while the country’s sleep duration may be insufficient, the quality of rest achieved during sleep is relatively high.
The late-night culture prevalent in the region is cited as a major contributing factor to the shorter sleep durations.
Cities such as Jeddah, Riyadh, and Sharjah are known for their late bedtimes, with Jeddah’s average bedtime being 2:31 a.m., Riyadh at 2:26 a.m., and Sharjah at 1:58 a.m.
These cities rank among the global leaders for the least sleep, further emphasizing the role of late-night habits in disrupting healthy sleep patterns.
“Late nights disrupt natural circadian rhythms and hinder recovery, creating a cycle of stress that negatively affects both physical and mental health,” said Matteo Franceschetti, co-founder and CEO of Eight Sleep.
Franceschetti stressed the importance of adjusting to healthier sleep habits, such as establishing more consistent bedtimes, to improve overall well-being.
In addition to the late-night culture, environmental factors also contribute to sleep disturbances. The UAE’s hot climate is a key disruptor, with 36 percent of residents citing temperature as a major factor in affecting their sleep.
To address this, Franceschetti noted the future of sleep technology would rely on personalized, data-driven approaches to optimize sleep environments and enhance recovery based on individual needs.
Health professionals also weighed in on the impact of insufficient sleep. Dr. Jolsana Augustine, a pulmonology specialist at Aster Hospital in Sharjah, warned that chronic sleep deprivation could have severe consequences on physical health.
“Sleep shortage weakens the immune system, increases susceptibility to illness, and disrupts cardiovascular and metabolic functions,” she said.
Dr. Augustine recommended adopting better sleep hygiene practices, such as reducing screen time before bed and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, to improve health outcomes.
Despite the challenges, experts believe that making small adjustments to sleep environments and routines could lead to significant improvements in sleep quality and overall health in the region.