The Sleepless Cities of Britain: New Data Maps the UK’s Most Restless Regions
A new analysis of regional sleep data reveals surprising insights into the UK’s most sleep-deprived cities and regions.
Sleep health is a rising concern in the UK. With growing pressures from work, screens, and housing stress, many cities are losing sleep in more ways than one.
According to new analysis using data from Medico Digital, Time4Sleep, Blinds Direct, and the ONS, the UK’s most sleep-deprived cities include Hull, Belfast, and Bristol. Meanwhile, regions like the North East and East of England report some of the lowest average sleep durations in recent years.
Top 10 Worst Cities for Sleep (Time4Sleep Survey):
| Rank | City | Sleep Score (out of 200) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hull | 15 |
| 2 | Belfast | 35 |
| 3 | Bristol | 53 |
| 4 | Coventry | 55 |
| 5 | Sheffield | 70 |
| 6 | Brighton | 73 |
| 7 | Newcastle | 75 |
| 8 | Plymouth | 78 |
| 9 | Leicester | 105 |
| 10 | Liverpool | 115 |
Most Sleep-Deprived UK Regions (Blinds Direct Analysis):
| Rank | Region |
|---|---|
| 1 | Greater London |
| 2 | South East |
| 3 | East of England |
| 4 | West Midlands |
| 5 | East Midlands |
| 6 | North West |
| 7 | Yorkshire & Humber |
| 8 | South West |
| 9 | North East |
You may view the full data set here.
- London Gets More Sleep Than Expected
Despite its “always-on” image, Londoners clock nearly 9 hours a night on average. In 2024, the capital averaged 9.02 hours of sleep, contradicting its sleepless stereotype.
- North East Is the Most Sleep-Unstable
The North East’s sleep hours swung from 8.98 (2020), to 9.67 (2021), back to 8.98 (2022), then surged again. These inconsistencies suggest sleep patterns shaped by unstable work or social conditions.
- South East Saw a Sleep Crisis in 2020
The South East had the worst sleep year (8.55 hours in 2020) but bounced back dramatically to 9.29 in 2022, the sharpest one-year improvement in the UK.
- Northern England Struggles with Sleep
Both the North West and North East report low or fluctuating hours year after year, with the North West never surpassing 9.16 average hours.
- East of England’s Steady Decline
From 2020 to 2022, East of England saw sleep duration drop each year, hitting a low of 8.59 hours. Though there’s been some recovery, the region hasn’t returned to pre-2020 levels.
How Sleep Disparities Affect Public Health
Chronic lack of sleep goes far beyond tired mornings. It can increase the risk of serious health conditions and diminish daily quality of life. Key effects include:
- Weakened Immune System
Sleep is essential for cellular repair and immune function. Sleep-deprived individuals are more likely to get sick and recover more slowly from illness.
- Poor Mental Health
Lack of rest can worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression, and even trigger mood disorders. Sleep regulates emotion and helps maintain psychological balance.
- Increased Cardiovascular Risk
Studies link sleep deprivation with high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and heart disease, making it a key risk factor for preventable deaths.
- Cognitive Impairment
Sleeplessness affects memory, concentration, and decision-making, reducing work performance and increasing the risk of accidents.
- Weight Gain and Metabolic Issues
Disrupted sleep can alter appetite hormones, leading to overeating and an increased risk of diabetes and obesity.
“Sleep is foundational to both physical and mental health. Chronic deprivation or instability contributes to anxiety, cardiovascular risk, reduced productivity, and more. These regional disparities show that we need more than general awareness campaigns. Local governments, NHS trusts, and employers must start treating sleep like the public health issue it is.
We often underestimate how sleep trends reflect broader socioeconomic pressures. From commuting hours to digital distractions and housing density, each factor plays a role in shaping a community’s sleep health. What the data shows is that sleep loss isn’t just a personal issue, but a systemic one.
For example, cities and regions reporting volatile sleep hours often align with economic instability or inconsistent working patterns. The North East’s year-on-year swings suggest households under fluctuating pressures, whether from shift work, commuting changes, or lifestyle instability post-COVID. By contrast, places like London benefit from better access to wellness resources, more flexible work models, and growing health awareness.
Healthcare leaders must now look beyond clinical care and target the environmental and behavioural barriers that disrupt rest. Investing in public sleep education, lighting policy, housing infrastructure, and employer partnerships could lead to long-term gains not just in sleep, but in national wellbeing,” says Digital Healthcare Expert, Oliver Capel from Medico Digital.
