Think eight hours is the golden rule for sleep? Not so fast. A new study from the University of British Columbia, published in PNAS, reveals that sleep needs aren’t universal—they’re deeply shaped by where you live and the culture around you.
Researchers tracked the sleep habits of 5,000 adults across 20 countries and found something surprising: the ideal amount of sleep varies not just by person, but by region. For instance, the average adult in France logs about 7 hours and 52 minutes a night, while in Japan, it’s only 6 hours and 18 minutes. Canadians average 7 hours and 27 minutes, and Americans fall close behind at 7.
“There is no one-size-fits-all amount of sleep that works for everyone,” explains Dr. Steven Heine, senior author of the study. Moreover, people who slept in sync with their cultural sleep norms, not necessarily more or less, reported better overall health.
Work-life balance, daily routines, and even social expectations play a major role in how much rest we get—and need. Lead author Dr. Christine Ou noted that across all 20 countries, people consistently slept less than the “recommended” amount, with no clear negative health consequences.
So, what does this mean for your bedtime routine? Instead of obsessing over a magic number, consider what’s typical where you live and listen to your body. Your sleep sweet spot might be more cultural than you think.
