The sleep gap: How social inequality affects good rest

We all know a night of good rest can be the difference between being ready to face the day or struggling to focus and counting down the hours until you can get back under the covers. But new research shows a stark inequality in good sleep for more vulnerable groups.

Using a range of 0 to 100 based on five key factors, Trellis data partner GlobeScan asked more than 55,000 consumers how well they slept for the IKEA Sleep Uncovered report. The survey asked respondents to rate their:

• Sleep quality (overall)
• Sleep time (average number of hours)
• Drift-off time (how long it takes to fall asleep)
• Sleep flow (how often you wake up)
• Wake-up state (how often you wake up feeling tired)

Results show financially insecure individuals, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities and women with young children all score below the global average sleep score of 63. Women, in general, consistently scored lower than men (60 vs. 65), with one in three women rating their sleep as poor. The research showed financial stability, bedroom sharing and stress are key determinants of sleep quality.

What this means

Sleep, a basic human need, has become a privilege rather than a given. These findings reveal how deeply inequalities — whether financial, gender-based or social — permeate all aspects of life, even shaping something as fundamental as rest. Poor sleep is both a symptom and a driver of inequality, affecting physical and mental health, productivity and overall well-being. The consequences extend far beyond the bedroom: When vulnerable groups are deprived of quality sleep, it exacerbates economic hardship, widens health disparities and reinforces cycles of disadvantage. 

Based on the IKEA Sleep Uncovered report, which surveyed 55,221 adults across 57 markets between August and September.

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