The institute’s survey of adult sleep habits, announced Nov. 4, recommends that adults up to age 64 sleep between seven and nine hours a night, while people aged 65 and older should aim for seven to eight hours.
Older Adults Fall Shortest of Sleep Targets
People over 65 were the least likely to meet the recommendations, while adults with higher levels of education recorded better rates of compliance, according to the survey results.
Bedtime Before 10 p.m. Tied to Healthier Sleep Hours
The survey also tracked what time adults go to bed. People who went to sleep before 10 p.m. on weekdays were more likely to get the recommended hours than those who stayed up later.
That does not mean sleeping before 10 p.m. is the optimal schedule for everyone, the institute noted. Sleep needs and patterns vary with age, life circumstances and daily routines.
Long Daytime Naps Linked to Health Risks
The data also covered daytime napping, a common habit among Germans. Some 45.3% of respondents said they take a nap at least once a week.
Naps longer than 60 minutes have been associated in earlier research with negative health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, depression and dementia. That link is a correlation, not proof of cause: underlying health problems or nighttime sleep disorders may drive some people to sleep longer during the day.
Recognizing Sleep Irregularities
How much sleep people need differs from person to person, but getting enough, regular sleep remains important for physical and mental health. Sleep quality and consistent bedtimes matter alongside duration.
Feeling constantly tired or repeatedly needing long naps can be a sign worth paying attention to, especially when it comes with disturbed sleep at night.
FAQ
How many hours of sleep do German health authorities recommend?
What share of German adults meets the recommendation? Only 51.6% of adults surveyed in Germany reported getting the recommended amount of sleep.
Do long naps cause disease? No. Research links naps over 60 minutes to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, depression and dementia, but the association does not prove the nap itself causes them.
The survey shows that checking sleep habits every day matters—both to prevent sleep deprivation and to figure out why some people sleep more than usual.
Earlier coverage: Only Half of Germans Get Enough Sleep, RKI Study Finds
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