A study led by University College London found that obstructive sleep apnoea costs the US and UK economies more than £137bn ($185bn) a year. 2bn for the UK economy annually. The researchers noted that this economic cost is probably an underestimate because the analysis did not include increased medical expenditure or costs of accidents.
Obstructive sleep apnoea is thought to affect about 1 billion people globally, including 8 million in the UK, with up to 85% undiagnosed. About a fifth of surveyed adults in the UK and US reported breathing pauses on three or more nights and excessive daytime sleepiness, core criteria for sleep apnoea diagnosis, according to the study led by University College London. ' However, specific screening strategies or public health campaigns to address sleep apnoea have not been detailed.
Given the significant yet often overlooked burden of [obstructive sleep apnoea] and its economic impact, we urge policymakers to allocate resources towards developing an effective screening strategy and implementing targeted public health campaigns and policies.
Nearly two-thirds of patients stop continuous positive airway pressure therapy, the standard treatment for sleep apnoea. In Europe, sleep disorders also carry significant costs. A study from the European Journal of Neurology ahead of World Sleep Day found that 18% of Europeans suffer from sleep apnoea and 10% from insomnia.
Direct treatment costs for sleep disorders in Europe account for 48% of total costs, while indirect costs, such as those from work accidents, account for 52%. The annual costs of sleep disorders in Europe amount to billions, though exact figures beyond this broad estimate are not provided. 7 million people suffering from sleep disorders, according to Réseau Sommeil Suisse.
Early identification and treatment of [obstructive sleep apnoea], along with proactive early follow-up, could result in substantial savings, potentially amounting to billions annually in productivity costs.
2 billion francs. Switzerland is the country in Europe with the highest per-person cost of sleep disorders, Réseau Sommeil Suisse reported. Poor sleep can promote the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, dementia, or depression, which account for about 80% of health costs.
Sleep disorders particularly affect women, the elderly, and increasingly young people, according to Réseau Sommeil Suisse. Italian researchers found in 2025 that sleep deprivation particularly affects women due to factors like hormonal changes.