The study looked at sleep behaviour across the UK, Germany and Switzerland with 1,500 UK respondents, 1,000 in Germany, and 700 in Switzerland. Because let\u2019s face it – if there\u2019s one thing many of us have in common, we\u2019re a bit tired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you get enough sleep?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
That was the first question. And only 42.8% of people in the UK said yes. More than half of us (51.1%) admit we don\u2019t catch enough Zs – while a very honest 6% simply weren\u2019t sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By contrast, in Germany, 61% of people reckon they get enough sleep. Sixty-one! We\u2019re not saying we\u2019re jealous, but\u2026 alright, we\u2019re a bit jealous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in case you\u2019re wondering – Londoners are the most sleep-deprived, with just 40% saying they get enough rest.<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/2-500x281.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nPoor sleep? A new national pastime?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
More than half of UK respondents (around 55%) believe their sleep habits aren\u2019t great. For younger people (aged 25-34), this number jumps even higher with nearly 3 out of 4 saying they struggle to sleep well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Compare that to Germany again, where older folks (aged 55+) are the sleep champions – only 42% of them think their habits are poor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Falling asleep vs. waking up \u2013 which is harder?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Whether it\u2019s your brain buzzing at bedtime or hitting snooze seven times in the morning, we\u2019re a nation in need of sleep TLC.<\/p>\n\n\n
- \n
- 23.5%: fall asleep easily, wake up hard<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 29.8%: wake up easily, fall asleep hard<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 27%: both are hard<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 19%: both are easy (teach us your ways!)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.pure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/3-500x281.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe humble sleep routine – rare, but magical<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When asked if they had a proper sleep routine, just 45.5% of people in the UK said yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Switzerland, it\u2019s higher – nearly 50% say they stick to a bedtime ritual. Maybe it\u2019s all the fresh air and mountains?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interestingly, young Brits aged 18\u201324 were least likely to have a routine. Only 29% of them wind down the same way each night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wake-up devices: Old-school alarm clocks still holding on<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In a world of sleep-tracking apps and smartwatches, you might expect traditional alarms to be out of fashion. But they\u2019re not quite gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
38.7% of UK respondents still use a wake-up device – be it an analogue clock, radio alarm, or wake-up light. The other 61.3%? Phones, pets, maybe just wishful thinking?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Germany, however, 70% still use some form of classic wake-up device. We\u2019re not saying they\u2019re more punctual… but we are saying they\u2019re more punctual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One last funny stat: Oxford wakes up way earlier than the rest of us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Seriously. In Oxford, people are far more likely to wake up before 6am than in any other UK city. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n
\n- \n
- The academic tradition?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The world\u2019s earliest rowing club?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Just\u2026 better alarm clocks?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Whatever the reason, respect to the early risers of Oxford. You\u2019re making the rest of us look like sloths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So what can we take from all this?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re not sleeping enough. We\u2019re not great at going to bed at the same time. And we\u2019re still kind of clinging to our trusty alarm clocks – or at least some of us are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n