Poll: sleep disorders on the rise as Israeli's sleep less since October 7

Nearly half of Israelis now sleep less than seven hours per night on weekdays, marking a troubling increase in insomnia amidst ongoing conflict.

According to a recent survey by the Central Bureau of Statistics, 42% of Israelis aged 20 and over report experiencing insomnia at least once a week since October 7, up from 31% previously.

The data reveals that 18% sleep up to five and a half hours, 30% between six and six and a half hours, and 31% between seven and seven and a half hours during the workweek. Only 21% achieve the recommended eight hours or more of sleep. Weekends show a slight improvement, with 48% of Israelis sleeping eight hours or more. However, sleep disorders have notably increased since October 7, with insomnia reported more frequently among respondents.

The survey also highlighted other factors that contributes to sleep quality including gender, age, economic background and health. It revealed that 20% of those in good health feel they lack sufficient sleep, rising to 45% among those in poor health. Additionally, 22% of satisfied individuals and 47% of dissatisfied individuals feel similarly. Economic factors also play a role, with 31% of lower-income earners experiencing sleep deprivation compared to 21% of higher-income earners.