Europe's sleep crisis costs billions—why we can't afford to ignore it

A new study has revealed the heavy economic toll of sleep disorders across Europe. Researchers analysed the costs of five major conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia, across 47 countries. The findings highlight a long-overlooked burden on healthcare systems and workplaces alike.

The study focused on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, restless legs syndrome (RLS), narcolepsy, and REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD). OSA carried the highest financial weight, costing €184 billion annually, followed by insomnia at €158 billion. RLS accounted for €79 billion, while narcolepsy and RBD cost €905 million and €436 million respectively.

Prevalence rates varied widely among adults. OSA affected 18% of the population, insomnia 10%, and RLS 3%. Narcolepsy and RBD were far rarer, occurring in 0.03% and 0.009% of adults. In Germany alone, around 20% of people suffer from some form of sleep disorder, with 12% of adolescents aged 12–17 reporting frequent sleep problems.

Nearly half of the total economic burden came from direct healthcare costs, while the remaining 52% stemmed from indirect expenses like lost productivity. The researchers stressed that sleep disorders not only strain economies but also harm brain function, physical health, and social well-being.

Until now, the full scale of these issues has received little attention in public health planning. The team called for stronger policies to address sleep health across Europe.

The study exposes a widespread yet under-recognised challenge. With costs running into hundreds of billions each year, sleep disorders demand greater focus in healthcare budgets and workplace policies. Better prevention and treatment could ease both financial and human burdens in the long term.