With increasing awareness about quality sleep, a recent worldwide survey has revealed a silent crisis—more than 70% of Indian couples are opting to sleep separately to enhance their sleep. The trend, referred to as 'sleep divorce,' is catching on across the world, with India taking the lead.

India tops global sleep divorce rankings

India has the highest percentage of sleep divorce, at 78% of couples sleeping separately, followed by China at 67%, and South Korea at 65%, as per ResMed's 2025 Global Sleep Survey. 

The survey, which covered 13 markets with more than 30,000 respondents, points to a worldwide sleep crisis, with couples in the United Kingdom and the United States equally divided—50% always sleeping together and 50% sometimes sleeping separately.

Although sleeping apart is an unusual concept, most couples find it a necessity for enhanced sleep and healthier relationships. Most frequently mentioned are a partner's snoring, heavy breathing, or gasping for air (32%), restlessness (12%), incompatible sleep patterns (10%), and bed use of screens (8%). Older generations tend to report sleeping apart because of these disruptions.

Surprisingly, the individuals who have adopted sleep divorce are said to have improved sleep quality and even better relationships, with some pointing out a more fulfilling sex life.

The advantages and disadvantages of co-sleeping

Although individual sleeping space can improve sleep, specialists point out that co-sleeping has benefits too. Sleeping next to a partner releases oxytocin, referred to as the 'love hormone,' which is associated with decreased stress, anxiety, and depression. Research appearing in Sleep concluded that bed-sharing couples have these emotional advantages, while another published in Frontiers in Psychiatry showed that co-sleeping has 10% more Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep.

When questioned regarding what they felt when sleeping with a partner, 53% felt love, 47% felt comfort, 41% felt relaxed, 27% felt happy, and 21% felt calm.

The battle for good sleep

In the modern world, balancing work, family, and social life normally leads to compromised sleep. According to the survey, stress, anxiety, money worries, mental illness, and relationship problems are the common causes of bad sleep.

Among Indians, 69% claimed stress as a major contributor to their sleep disturbance, which ranked them as one of the most stressed in the world. South Korea (67%), Thailand (65%), Singapore (65%), and Germany (61%) also reported high stress levels.

Gen Z participants specifically complained of anxiety, 53% of them naming it as a major reason for sleep deprivation. Even though they are aware of such problems, most are afraid to get help—22% confessed that they were not willing to tackle their sleep issue. This fear can result in deteriorated mood, poor focus, tense relationships, and reduced work output. On the other hand, sufficient sleep has been found to increase mental clarity, mood, and general health.

The effects of bad sleep on work and health

Sleep deprivation is more than a nuisance—it's a serious health threat. According to Dr. Carlos Nunez, ResMed Chief Medical Officer, chronic loss of sleep can raise the risk of cognitive impairment, mood disorders, anxiety, and depression. For people with undiagnosed sleep apnea, the risks are amplified and may result in heart failure, diabetes, and stroke.

The U.S. Institute of Medicine Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research indicates that sleeping less than six hours a night majorly compromises cognitive functioning, similar to total sleep deprivation.

Productivity in the workplace is also a major issue. Almost half of working respondents think their employers don't value sleep health. A staggering 70% confessed to taking a sick day because they had a bad night's sleep, impacting morale and workplace effectiveness.

In India, 80% of workers think that their employers care about sleep health—highest among countries surveyed—but 47% have been forced to take sick leave because of lack of sleep. Moreover, 49% of Indians reported difficulty falling asleep at least three times a week, and 37% worked overnight shifts beginning after 9 PM, again violating natural sleep patterns. 

Gender differences in sleep health

The survey further showed that women in India also have poorer sleep quality than men, with 3.83 nights of good sleep per week compared to men's 4.13 nights. Hormonal fluctuations are the main reason behind this, as 38% of women take time to fall asleep while only 29% of men do.

At the workplace, sleep deprivation hits women harder—17% of Indian women have gone on sick leave because of bad sleep compared to 12% of men. Menopause adds to the problem, with 44% of menopausal women worldwide having trouble sleeping at least three nights a week, against 33% of non-menopausal women.

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