Korean Sleep Survey Finds 89% Have Problems; Few Seek Treatment
Korean Eisai announced the results of a nationwide survey conducted on World Sleep Day, examining the sleep patterns and treatment perceptions of 500 adults aged 19 to 69 across South Korea. The company said the study highlights a gap between experiencing sleep problems and receiving treatment.
The survey found that 89% of respondents reported sleep problems in the past month, while overall satisfaction with sleep was low—30% satisfied and 39% dissatisfied. Among those who had sleep problems in the past month, 58% said the issues had persisted for six months or longer. On average, more respondents than not slept less than the 7–9 hours often cited as ideal in other countries.
In terms of sleep duration, 38% reported sleeping fewer than six to seven hours, 31% fewer than five to six hours, 20% seven hours or more, and 11% fewer than five hours. The company noted that this pattern aligns with a tendency toward shorter sleep duration than the U.S. adult benchmark of 7–9 hours, according to the American Sleep Foundation.
Regarding the types of problems experienced, 58% reported waking up in the middle of the night, 44% did not feel rested despite apparently sufficient sleep, and 38% experienced restlessness during sleep. Younger adults in their 20s and 30s were more likely to report not feeling refreshed, while those in their 50s and 60s reported more nighttime awakenings.
Sleep problems also affected daily life: 68% said they felt fatigue or sleepiness during the day. The most common impacts were decreased concentration at work or school (64%), mood changes (62%), and memory problems (33%).
Despite the high prevalence of sleep issues, actual treatment remains limited. Only 6% of respondents reported having received treatment for sleep problems, while 70% did not even consider treatment. About 9% had tried professional pharmacological treatment. A majority, 65%, said they were not inclined to visit a hospital for a sleep issue, with the leading reason (39%) being that they do not view sleep problems as a medical condition.
Concerns about medications also weighed on decisions. Sixty-five percent worried about side effects, 79% feared potential dependence, and 74% worried about long-term effects. When considering new sleep therapies, 83% of respondents said long-term safety was the most important factor, followed by low dependence (71%) and lack of next-day drowsiness (55%).
Professor Kim Ji-hyun of Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital said that leaving insomnia untreated can affect mental health, such as depression and anxiety, as well as physical health risks like cardiovascular disease. He emphasized that the availability of newer treatments with fewer dependence risks and side effects is expanding options, and urged individuals with persistent symptoms to seek specialist evaluation to determine causes and receive appropriate treatment and management.
Beyond Korea, the findings matter for U.S. readers because sleep health affects productivity, healthcare costs, and the broader economy. The study underscores a global demand for safer, more tolerable insomnia therapies and highlights ongoing concerns about medication dependence and long-term safety. For U.S. policymakers, insurers, and healthcare providers, it reinforces the importance of effective sleep medicine options and accessible care pathways, as well as the potential for cross-border pharmaceutical innovation and supply-chain considerations in the sleep medicines sector.