Sleep Deprivation: According to a new analysis, people worldwide are sleeping an average of 56 hours less per year due to rising temperatures. The greatest impact has been seen in areas with high temperatures.

Climate change and lack of sleep

Climate Change Impact On Sleep: Climate change is no longer limited to the weather ; its effects are also clearly visible on people's sleep. According to a new analysis, due to rising temperatures, people worldwide are sleeping an average of 56 hours less per year. The greatest impact is seen in areas where nighttime temperatures are continuously rising. Experts say that lack of sleep can lead to many serious health problems, including heart disease, mental health issues, weakened immunity, and decreased performance.

1,338 major cities covered

This analysis, conducted by Climate Central, included 1,338 major cities worldwide. It also studied 107 cities in India. According to the report, India is among the countries where climate change has had the greatest impact on people's sleep. People living in cities in South India, in particular, are losing 78 to 91 hours of sleep each year, with 8 to 9 hours of this loss being directly attributed to climate change.

Which cities are most affected?

According to the report, Tamil Nadu is the most affected state in this regard. Here, an average of 7.9 hours of sleep per person has been reduced annually due to climate change. Among the major metropolitan cities, Chennai is the most affected, with people sleeping approximately 93 hours less per year. This is followed by Mumbai (84 hours) and Kolkata (80 hours).

Cities like Bengaluru and Dehradun, once known for their cool nights, are now reeling from rising temperatures. According to the report, in the 1970s, people in Bengaluru lost approximately 59 hours of sleep a year, but by 2025, this figure had increased to 67 hours. This additional 8 hours of sleep loss is directly linked to climate change and is the highest among major metropolitan cities in the country. Dehradun, meanwhile, has seen a nearly 10 percent increase in sleep loss over the past five years.

People living in 22 cities in Maharashtra are losing an average of 76.3 hours of sleep each year, 5.8 of which is due to climate change. Meanwhile, in 11 cities in Uttar Pradesh, people are losing approximately 69 hours of sleep annually, with 4.9 hours of this loss directly linked to rising temperatures.

The shortage is now at least double.

The report states that sleep loss due to warming has now at least doubled compared to the 1970s. Globally, cities in the Middle East have been most affected, while parts of South India and Southeast Asia are also included. Researchers believe that if nighttime temperatures continue to rise at this rate, sleep problems and related health challenges could become more severe in the coming years.