Insufficient Sleep in Malaysia: How Common Is It and Why Are We Not Sleeping Enough?
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, 37.7% of Malaysian adults aged 18 and above slept fewer than seven hours within a 24-hour period, or approximately 8.6 million adults. Insufficient sleep can involve limited time available for sleep, delayed bedtimes, insomnia or an underlying condition that disturbs sleep. These factors can overlap.[1, 2]
Are Malaysians getting enough sleep?
Getting enough good-quality sleep is important for physical health, mental wellbeing and everyday functioning. Yet insufficient sleep is common in Malaysia.
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, 37.7% of Malaysian adults aged 18 years and above were getting less than seven hours of sleep within a 24-hour period. This represents approximately 8.6 million adults — nearly 2 in every 5 Malaysian adults. Insufficient sleep was also more common among people living in urban areas, affecting 39.2%, compared with 32.4% in rural areas. [2] Institute for Public Health
But knowing that someone is not getting enough sleep is only the beginning. The next question is: why?
Insufficient sleep can happen because a person does not have enough opportunity to sleep, chooses to delay bedtime, has difficulty sleeping despite trying to sleep, or has an underlying condition that interferes with sleep. These reasons can also overlap.
What do Malaysian studies tell us?
| Sleep issue or contributing factor | Malaysian finding | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Insufficient sleep — Malaysian adults | 37.7% | Nationally representative NHMS 2023 estimate of adults sleeping <7 hours per 24 hours [2] |
| Insufficient sleep — working adults | 54.7% | In a study of 11,356 Malaysian working adults, more than half reported <7 hours of sleep [3] |
| Work stress | 41.2% | Among working adults sleeping <7 hours, 41.2% reported work stress as a factor affecting sleep [3] |
| Children/family commitments | 22.5% | Reported by working adults sleeping <7 hours as a factor affecting sleep [3] |
| Lifestyle factors | 20.5% | Reported by working adults sleeping <7 hours; lifestyle was independently associated with insufficient sleep [3] |
| Smartphone-related bedtime procrastination | 43.75% | High levels reported in one study of 160 Malaysian undergraduates [4] |
| Insomnia symptoms | 33.8% | Community study of 1,611 Malaysian adults aged 30–70 years [5] |
| Chronic insomnia | 12.2% | Same Malaysian community study [5] |
| Witnessed breathing pauses during sleep | 15.2% | Malaysian community study of adults aged 30–70 years [6] |
| Excessive daytime sleepiness | 14.8% | Same community study [6] |
| Clinically suspected obstructive sleep apnoea | 7.0% | Same community study; this was suspected OSA, not sleep-study-confirmed disease [6] |
These percentages should not be added together or presented as parts of a single study group. The studies involved different populations and definitions, and people may experience more than one contributing factor at the same time. For example, someone may have work stress, delay bedtime using a smartphone and also have symptoms of insomnia.
Sometimes there simply is not enough time to sleep
Work, shift schedules, studying, caregiving and other commitments can reduce the amount of time available for sleep.
This appears particularly relevant among working Malaysians. In a study involving 11,356 working adults, 54.7% reported sleeping fewer than seven hours a day. Among those sleeping less than seven hours, 41.2% reported work stress, while 22.5% reported children as a factor affecting their sleep. [3] Taylor & Francis Online
Importantly, these figures do not prove that work stress caused all of the sleep loss. Participants could report several factors, and after statistical adjustment, work stress itself was not independently associated with insufficient sleep. Lifestyle factors, having children, poor sleeping conditions and mental-health concerns showed stronger independent associations. [3] PubMed Central (PMC)
Sometimes we have time to sleep — but choose to stay awake
Not all insufficient sleep comes from unavoidable commitments. Some people delay bedtime even when they have the opportunity to sleep.
This may be described as bedtime procrastination: going to bed later than intended without an external reason forcing the delay.
Among Malaysian working adults sleeping less than seven hours, 20.5% reported lifestyle factors affecting their sleep. [3] In a separate 2025 study of 160 Malaysian undergraduates, 43.75% reported a high level of smartphone-induced bedtime procrastination. Higher bedtime procrastination was also associated with greater daytime sleepiness. [4] Tay WY, Law MY
Late-night scrolling, gaming or entertainment may therefore deserve attention, particularly among younger adults.
Sometimes we want to sleep — but cannot
Insufficient sleep and insomnia are not the same thing.
Someone may sleep too little because they only allow five hours for sleep. Another person may allow eight hours but spend a considerable part of that time unable to fall asleep or repeatedly waking during the night.
A Malaysian community survey involving 1,611 adults aged 30–70 years found that 33.8% experienced insomnia symptoms, while 12.2% had chronic insomnia according to the study criteria. [5] The study also found effects on concentration, exhaustion, memory, perceived health and daytime functioning. PubMed
This is why an important distinction is whether sleep difficulty occurs despite having sufficient time and a suitable opportunity to sleep.
Persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking earlier than intended should not automatically be managed as a simple lack of sleep.
Sometimes another condition is disturbing sleep
Sleep problems may also be a sign of an underlying sleep disorder, medical condition, medicine or substance effect.
In a Malaysian community study of 1,611 adults, 47.3% reported habitual snoring, 15.2% reported witnessed breathing pauses during sleep and 14.8% had excessive daytime sleepiness. Approximately 7.0% were clinically suspected of having obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. [6] Wiley Online Library
Snoring alone does not mean someone has sleep apnoea. However, loud snoring accompanied by witnessed pauses in breathing, choking or gasping, particularly when accompanied by excessive daytime sleepiness, warrants medical assessment.
Other warning signs include unusual sleep behaviours, an uncomfortable urge to move the legs at night and marked unintended dozing. Persistent sleep problems may also be associated with pain, medicines, alcohol, stimulants or mental-health concerns.
So, why are we not getting enough sleep?
There is no single answer.
For some people, the problem is not enough opportunity to sleep because of work, family or other commitments. For others, it is voluntary bedtime delay. Some have adequate opportunity but experience persistent difficulty sleeping, while others may have an underlying sleep or medical disorder.
That distinction matters because the appropriate next step is different.
Someone whose sleep is shortened by habits or scheduling may benefit from reviewing sleep routines and protecting sufficient time for sleep. Someone with persistent difficulty sleeping despite adequate opportunity may require further assessment for insomnia. Red flags such as breathing pauses, severe daytime sleepiness or unusual behaviour during sleep require medical assessment.
Speak with a CARiNG pharmacist
If you are concerned about sleep-related habits or whether medicines and other substances could be affecting your sleep, speak with a CARiNG pharmacist. Persistent difficulty sleeping, breathing pauses during sleep or severe daytime sleepiness should be assessed by a doctor.
Find your nearest CARiNG Pharmacy →Useful resources
- Institute for Public Health – NHMS 2023 – Official Malaysian survey materials and report links.
- Chan et al. – Insufficient sleep among Malaysian working adults – Findings from 11,356 workers and contributing factors.
- Tay and Law – Smartphone-induced bedtime procrastination – The 2025 Malaysian undergraduate study.
- Zailinawati et al. – Insomnia in Malaysian adults – Community findings on insomnia symptoms and chronic insomnia.
- Kamil et al. – Snoring and breathing pauses in Malaysia – Community study of sleep-related breathing symptoms.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for general health education and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Persistent sleep problems, witnessed pauses in breathing, severe daytime sleepiness or unusual sleep behaviours should be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional.
Frequently asked questions about insufficient sleep in Malaysia
How common is insufficient sleep among Malaysian adults?
NHMS 2023 found that 37.7% of Malaysian adults aged 18 and above slept fewer than seven hours per 24-hour period, equivalent to about 8.6 million adults.[2]
Are working adults in Malaysia getting enough sleep?
In a study of 11,356 Malaysian working adults, 54.7% reported fewer than seven hours of sleep. This study involved working adults and is not the same as the nationally representative NHMS estimate.[3]
Does work stress cause insufficient sleep?
Work stress was reported by 41.2% of working adults who slept fewer than seven hours, but it was not independently associated with insufficient sleep after statistical adjustment in that study. Other factors, including lifestyle, children, sleep conditions and mental-health concerns, showed stronger independent associations.[3]
Is smartphone-related bedtime procrastination common in all Malaysians?
A 2025 study found that 43.75% of 160 Malaysian undergraduates reported a high level of smartphone-induced bedtime procrastination. Because the sample was relatively small and limited to undergraduates, this is not a national prevalence estimate.[4]
Is insufficient sleep the same as insomnia?
No. Some people sleep too little because they do not leave enough time for sleep. Insomnia involves difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep despite a suitable opportunity to sleep. A Malaysian community survey found insomnia symptoms in 33.8% of its 1,611 participants and chronic insomnia in 12.2%, according to the study criteria.[5]
Does snoring mean I have sleep apnoea?
Not necessarily. Snoring alone does not confirm sleep apnoea. Loud snoring with witnessed pauses in breathing, gasping or choking, particularly with excessive daytime sleepiness, warrants medical assessment. The Malaysian community study reported clinically suspected obstructive sleep apnoea, not sleep-study-confirmed disease.[6]
View references 6 sources
- CARiNG Pharmacy. Insufficient Sleep in Malaysia: How Common Is It and Why Are We Not Sleeping Enough? Approved CARiNG source article supplied for publication; a public source URL was not provided.
- Institute for Public Health. National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023: Non-Communicable Diseases and Healthcare Demand. Technical Report. Shah Alam: National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia; 2024. Source
- Chan CMH, Siau CS, Wong JE, Wee LH, Jamil NA, Hoe VCW. Prevalence of insufficient sleep and its associated factors among working adults in Malaysia. Nat Sci Sleep. 2021;13:1109-1116. doi:10.2147/NSS.S295537. Source
- Tay WY, Law MY. The cost of midnight scrolling: smartphone-induced bedtime procrastination as a predictor of daytime sleepiness and life satisfaction. Int J Acad Res Bus Soc Sci. 2025;15(9):1704-1713. doi:10.6007/IJARBSS/v15-i9/26641. Source
- Zailinawati AH, Ariff KM, Nurjahan MI, Teng CL. Epidemiology of insomnia in Malaysian adults: a community-based survey in 4 urban areas. Asia Pac J Public Health. 2008;20(3):224-233. doi:10.1177/1010539508316975. Source
- Kamil MA, Teng CL, Hassan SA. Snoring and breathing pauses during sleep in the Malaysian population. Respirology. 2007;12(3):375-380. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1843.2007.01030.x. Source
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