Insomnia Prevalence In Australia September 10, 2026 Insomnia Prevalence In Australia If you regularly struggle to fall asleep, wake repeatedly during the night or find yourself staring at the ceiling far earlier than you would like, you are far from alone. Sleep difficulties are remarkably common in Australia, with research suggesting that a substantial proportion of adults experience ongoing symptoms of insomnia. How common is insomnia in Australia? Research commissioned by the Sleep Health Foundation found that almost 60% of Australian adults regularly experience at least one sleep symptom three or more times per week.1 These symptoms can include difficulty falling asleep, trouble staying asleep or waking too early and being unable to return to sleep. The report estimated that 15% of Australian adults had symptoms that could meet the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-3) criteria for chronic insomnia.1 Does insomnia affect everyone equally? Sleep difficulties can look different depending on your age. Waking frequently during the night tends to become more common as we get older. Among people aged 65 and over, 47% reported waking frequently overnight, compared with 22% of those aged 18 to 24.2 Younger adults, however, were more likely to have difficulty getting to sleep. Around 32% of people aged 18 to 24 reported trouble falling asleep, compared with 25% of adults aged 65 and over.2 There were also differences between women and men. Women were more likely to report worrying about getting a good night’s sleep, with 31% saying this happened often or always compared with 21% of men.2 Women were also more likely to feel overwhelmed by thoughts while trying to sleep.2 Are Australians getting enough opportunity to sleep? Sometimes the problem is not only being unable to sleep. It is also finding enough time for it. Almost half of respondents, at 49%, reported that their daily routine did not provide an adequate opportunity to sleep all or most of the time.1 With sleep difficulties affecting so many Australians, persistent poor sleep should not simply be accepted as part of everyday life. If you regularly struggle to fall asleep, stay asleep or feel that poor sleep is affecting your daytime wellbeing, speak with your doctor. They can help identify what may be disrupting your sleep and discuss appropriate treatment options. References 1. “Chronic Insomnia Disorder in Australia | Special Sleep Reports.” Www.Sleephealthfoundation.Org.Au, https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/special-sleep-reports/chronic-insomnia-disorder-in-australia. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026. 2) Appleton, Sarah L, et al. “Insomnia Prevalence Varies with Symptom Criteria Used with Implications for Epidemiological Studies: Role of Anthropometrics, Sleep Habit, and Comorbidities.” Nature and Science of Sleep, vol. Volume 14, Apr. 2022, pp. 775–90, https://doi.org/10.2147/nss.s359437.
