Are students getting enough sleep?
In 2025, only 24% of U.S. high school students reported getting at least eight hours of sleep on an average school night.
These numbers suggest that sleep deserves more attention at home and at school.
A data story about student sleep
In 2025, only 24% of U.S. high school students reported getting at least eight hours of sleep on an average school night.
These numbers suggest that sleep deserves more attention at home and at school.
If 24% reported at least eight hours, the remaining 76% reported less.
Short sleep affects a large majority of students, making it a shared concern.
Calculation: 100% − 24% = 76%.
Coral: fewer than 8 hours
Cream: at least 8 hours
Between 2015 and 2025, the percentage getting at least eight hours dropped from 27% to 24%.
That is a decline of 3 percentage points.
CDC reports no significant change between 2023 and 2025.
| Year | Students |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 27% |
| 2017 | 25% |
| 2019 | 22% |
| 2021 | 23% |
| 2023 | 23% |
| 2025 | 24% |
In 2025, 31% of ninth graders reported at least eight hours, compared with 20% of twelfth graders.
That is an 11 percentage point difference.
The survey shows a difference between grades; it does not establish its cause.
| Grade | Students |
|---|---|
| 9th | 31% |
| 10th | 25% |
| 11th | 20% |
| 12th | 20% |
With most students reporting less than eight hours, sleep should be a shared priority.
CDC suggests regular sleep schedules, boundaries on nighttime devices, and considering later school start times.
What could your school change to give students more time to sleep?
Data source:
CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Sleep
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