Gina Johnson
The Dutch have been found to sleep longer than anyone else in the world, with an average of eight hours and 12 minutes of sleep per night. This is reflected in their daily schedules, with Dutch children also sleeping longer than their international peers. The Netherlands has the longest period between the evening meal and bedtime, which has a beneficial effect on sleep. The Dutch tend to eat dinner quite early, usually around 5 pm, and go to bed earlier than those in other countries. In contrast, people in France tend to go to bed between 10 pm and 11:30 pm and wake up by 7:30 am to 8 am. So, someone who falls asleep in the Netherlands and wakes up in France would experience a notable shift in their daily routine and sleep schedule.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average sleep duration | 8 hours and 12 minutes per night |
| Average bedtime | Between 10 pm and 11:30 pm |
| Average wake-up time | Between 6:00 am and 8:00 am |
| Average sleep duration compared to other countries | More than citizens of any other country |
| Average sleep duration compared to Singapore and Japan | Nearly an hour more |
| Average sleep duration compared to France | More |
| Average sleep duration of Dutch children compared to American children | 2 hours more per day at 6 months old |
| Average dinner time | 5 pm |
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What You'll Learn
Dutch people sleep longer than anyone else in the world
It is true that Dutch people sleep longer than anyone else in the world. A study published by Science Advances magazine revealed that the Dutch sleep an average of eight hours and 12 minutes per night, more than any other country. This is supported by data from the Ertain smartphone app, which was developed to help prevent jet lag and tracks age, gender, daylight hours, and their effects on sleep patterns.
The study by the University of Michigan researchers found that the biggest factor influencing sleep is the culture of a country, which supersedes people's biological rhythms. In the Netherlands, the period between the evening meal and bedtime is the longest, which has a beneficial impact on sleep. This cultural influence on sleep patterns can override our natural circadian rhythms, leading people to go to bed later and lose sleep.
The data also revealed that, universally, women sleep about thirty minutes longer than men as they go to bed earlier and wake up later. Middle-aged men get the least sleep, often spending less than the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep. Additionally, people who spend time outdoors in natural sunlight tend to sleep longer than those who primarily stay indoors.
The study also concluded that a country's average bedtime, rather than average wake time, predicts sleep duration. Going to bed late has a more detrimental effect on a person's sleep than getting up very early in the morning. This is supported by another study, which found that the later the sunset, the longer people slept.
Interestingly, the Netherlands is not the only country with notable sleep patterns. France and New Zealand have the second-highest amount of sleep after the Netherlands, while Spain goes to bed the latest. Japan has the shortest night's rest, with individuals also taking short power naps during the day.
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Dutch children sleep longer than in other countries
It is true that Dutch children sleep longer than children in other countries. For example, six-month-old Dutch babies sleep for two hours more per day on average than their American counterparts. This has been attributed to the Dutch emphasis on the three "R"s: "Rust, Reinheid, en Regelmaat" ("rest, cleanliness, and regularity"). Dutch parents feel that their children need a predictable schedule, so they stick to a daily routine. This predictability gives children a sense of security, which improves the quality of their sleep.
The Dutch have a word for children's bedtime: "kinderbedtijd". This is strictly enforced, and children are put to bed at the same time every day, regardless of whether they seem tired or not. When a toddler stops napping during the day, bedtime can be as early as 6 pm, but most toddlers are put to bed between 6:30 and 7 pm. This is considered very early by the standards of many other countries.
The Dutch are known for their planning and consistency, and unannounced visits are rare. Everything from mealtimes to bedtimes is scheduled, which helps children sleep through the night and for longer. This culture of planning also means that parties and social events have set ending times, and it is not uncommon for parents to leave early so that their children can get the sleep they need.
In addition, the Netherlands has the longest period between the evening meal and bedtime, which has a beneficial effect on sleep. A country's average bedtime is a stronger predictor of its sleep duration than its average wake time. Going to bed late has a more detrimental effect on a person's sleep than getting up very early in the morning.
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The French typically eat dinner between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m
The Dutch have been found to sleep longer than anyone else in the world, with an average of eight hours and twelve minutes per night. In the Netherlands, the period between the evening meal and bedtime is the longest, which has a beneficial effect on sleep. Dutch children also sleep longer than in other countries, with Dutch babies at the age of six months getting two hours more sleep per day on average than American babies. The Dutch eat dinner quite early, in the late afternoon or early evening, with 5 pm being a common time.
In France, people typically eat dinner between 7 pm and 9 pm. However, in major metropolitan areas like Paris, it is not uncommon to eat later in the evening. The French often enjoy a substantial meal in the middle of the day, thanks to their vibrant cafe culture and long lunch breaks.
The French generally go to bed between 10 pm and 11:30 pm and wake up by 7:30 am to 8 am. This aligns with the average wake-up time for many Europeans, which falls between 6 am and 8 am, taking into account individual preferences, work schedules, and cultural differences.
While the Dutch and French have different dinner and sleep routines, both countries prioritize adequate sleep and recognize the importance of a healthy sleep schedule. These cultural norms and lifestyle choices contribute to their overall well-being and sleep duration.
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The Dutch eat dinner quite early, late in the afternoon or early evening
The Dutch have a reputation for getting a good night's sleep, with adults and children alike sleeping longer than those in other countries. In fact, the Netherlands has the highest average sleep duration in Europe, with adults sleeping for eight hours and twelve minutes per night. This is almost an hour more than those in Japan and Singapore.
One reason for this could be the Dutch tendency to eat dinner quite early, usually in the late afternoon or early evening. In the Netherlands, it is not unusual for families to sit down to dinner at 5 pm. This early dinner time allows for a longer period between the evening meal and bedtime, which has been found to have a beneficial effect on sleep.
Dutch children, in particular, are known for having very structured and predictable days, with set times for meals and snacks. Dutch parents prioritize their children's sleep, ensuring they go to bed early and enforcing a strict bedtime routine. This predictability provides young children with a sense of security and improves their odds of getting a good night's sleep.
The Dutch approach to sleep is not limited to children, however. The Netherlands has a culture of early bedtimes, with the average bedtime falling between 10 pm and 11:30 pm. This compares to countries like Japan, where people tend to go to bed later, often between 10 pm and midnight. By going to bed earlier, the Dutch are able to optimize their sleep and enjoy longer sleep durations than those in many other countries.
So, while the saying may go that "only the sleepy poor go to bed early," the Dutch provide a counterexample, demonstrating that an early bedtime can lead to a well-rested and healthy lifestyle.
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The average Brit wakes up around 6:47 a.m
The average Brit wakes up at around 6:47 a.m., though they tend to roll over and go back to sleep before finally getting up at 7:12 a.m. This is earlier than the average wake-up time in France, which is between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m.
While the average wake-up time in the Netherlands is not readily available, studies have shown that the Dutch sleep longer than anyone else in the world, with an average of eight hours and 12 minutes of sleep per night. This is almost 5.5 minutes more than eight hours of sleep per night. Dutch children also sleep longer than their peers in other countries, with Dutch six-month-old babies getting two hours more sleep per day than American babies.
The Dutch have a culture of prioritising sleep, with very structured and predictable daily schedules for children. They enforce strict bedtimes for children, with set times for meals and snacks. Dutch families often eat dinner quite early, in the late afternoon or early evening, and generally go to bed earlier than people in other countries.
The time of sunrise and sunset also affects when people wake up. Later sunsets are correlated with longer sleep durations, and the use of artificial light means that natural light has a smaller impact on our sleep patterns than it used to.
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Frequently asked questions
The Dutch sleep the most, with an average of eight hours and 12 minutes per night.
In France, most people go to bed between 10 pm and 11:30 pm and wake up by 7:30 am to 8 am.
On average, the Japanese sleep for about seven hours and 22-24 minutes per night.
Dutch parents believe in providing their children with a predictable schedule, which includes set times for meals and naps. This predictability gives children a sense of security and improves their sleep quality.
