As Global Warming Raises Temperatures, Sleep Duration Drops Sharply: "Annual Average Decrease of 44 Hours"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] A study has revealed that global sleep duration is decreasing due to the effects of global warming.

On the 20th (local time), according to the British daily The Guardian, a research team from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark analyzed sleep data from 47,000 people across 68 countries collected via sleep-tracking wristbands between 2015 and 2017, publishing their findings in the academic journal One Earth.

The study found that the average sleep time of the global population decreased by 44 hours annually. Additionally, the number of nights when people failed to achieve the globally recognized "sufficient sleep" of 7 hours reached 11 days.

The research team explained that the increased nighttime temperatures caused by warming acted as a sleep disturbance factor in almost every country.

The impact of temperature on sleep was especially significant among women, the elderly, and low-income countries. The team explained that women have more subcutaneous fat than men, older adults have relatively diminished thermoregulation abilities, and low-income countries use cooling devices such as fans or air conditioners less frequently, making temperature regulation comparatively difficult.

Furthermore, regardless of the original climate of the residential area, nighttime temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius affected people's sleep. The researchers estimated that in a city with a population of one million, if nighttime temperatures exceed 25 degrees Celsius, 46,000 people would experience reduced sleep. They also warned that billions of people in India and Pakistan, where heatwaves are currently severe, would be exposed to sleep deprivation issues.

Moreover, the research team identified at a global level that high temperatures disrupt human sleep, but they believe actual sleep durations may have decreased even more. They explained that this study suggests global warming could be an underlying factor in modern health problems.

Meanwhile, India is suffering from record-breaking heatwaves, with temperatures in some areas reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius. According to the Indian government, the average maximum temperature in March was 33.1 degrees Celsius, the highest in 121 years since meteorological observations began in 1901. This month's temperatures have already far exceeded the average. Major foreign media also reported that the likelihood of heatwaves has increased about 100 times compared to 12 years ago due to the effects of climate change.