The study
The 2016 report “Why Sleep Matters” estimated the economic impact of insufficient sleep in the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada. The costs come mainly from lost productivity: people missing work, and people at work but performing below their ability.[1]
The numbers
| Country | Annual loss | Share of GDP | Working days lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | up to $411 bn | 2.28% | 1.23 million |
| Japan | up to $138 bn | 2.92% | 604,000 |
| Germany | up to $60 bn | 1.56% | 209,000 |
| United Kingdom | up to $50 bn | 1.86% | 207,000 |
| Canada | up to $21.4 bn | 1.35% | 78,000 |
Among other things, the report recommended that employers consider facilities for daytime naps at work.[1]
What it means for your company
Estonia wasn’t part of the study, but the logic is the same: a tired team works slower and makes more mistakes. A rest pod is one of the few wellbeing investments that is visible at work and can be used every day.
Sources
- Hafner M, Stepanek M, Taylor J et al. Why Sleep Matters: The Economic Costs of Insufficient Sleep. A Cross-Country Comparative Analysis. RAND Europe, 2016. RR-1791. www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1791.html (opens in a new window)
