Where Dreamtime Thrives: Discover the World’s Best Sleep Nations

Imagine drifting off to sleep under tranquil stars, in a place where rest comes naturally. At Sleep Scents, we celebrate those serene moments that restore and rejuvenate—wherever you are. Join us as we explore the countries that regularly achieve the best sleep, guided by data, culture, and lifestyle. These nations inspire bedtime habits worth imitating… and scents that help you drift into dreamland more easily.

Top Sleepers Around the Globe

• The Netherlands often tops sleep duration charts. Data from the ENTRAIN app shows Dutch residents get roughly 8 hours and 5 minutes of sleep each night—more than any other country in the study Sleep AdvisorSleep Hero.

• New Zealand, France, Australia, and Belgium also fare exceptionally well:

  • New Zealand: ~8 h 4 m

  • France: ~8 h 3 m

  • Australia & Belgium: ~8 h 1 m

• According to 2025 World Population Review data, average time in bed (a proxy for sleep time) confirms this list:

  • New Zealand: 447 minutes

  • Netherlands: 444 minutes

  • Finland: 443 minutes

  • UK: 442 minutes

  • Australia: 440 minutes

• A modern survey via PlushCare highlights that Northern European countries, along with Australia and New Zealand, top the list in the proportion of people getting the recommended 7–9 hours per night.

Why These Countries Sleep Well

• Cultural Norms & Work-Life Balance: Nordic and Western European cultures value personal time and balance, helping mitigate sleep loss—unlike in high-stress regions like parts of East Asia.

• Less Disruptive Environments: In studies using sensor-tracked sleep, Asian nations like Japan and Singapore show significantly less sleep duration and efficiency.

• Routine and Early Bedtimes: Countries like Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Romania maintain relatively early bedtimes, which research links to better sleep quality.

• Gentle Climates & Latitude: While ambient temperature impacts sleep—rising nighttime heat shortens sleep everywhere, especially in warmer regions—the cooler climates of Northern Europe may lend themselves to deeper, longer rest.

Sleep Scents’ Takeaways

At Sleep Scents, we create blends designed to support the calm, restful evenings you might find in these restful countries. Consider:

• Lavender & Chamomile — mirrors the soothing atmosphere of Northern Europe.

• Eucalyptus & Pine — evoking fresh New Zealand air.

• Citrus and Green Tea — capturing the vibrant balance of Dutch lifestyle.

Sides that Still Need a Nap

• In contrast, Singapore and Japan consistently rank at the bottom for sleep duration (around 7 h 24 m and 7 h 30 m respectively), likely due to urban density, workplace stress, and late-night culture.

• In the UK, Brits average just around 6.5 hours of sleep per night—one of the lowest among major countries.

• Alarmingly, a global IKEA Sleep Report (covering Australia, China, and others) shows Mainland China scoring highest for sleep quality (74/100), while Australia, Ireland, Sweden, and Norway score below average—again underscoring that even popular sleep destinations face sleep disruption issues.

So, if you're chasing the world's best sleep, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Finland, France, Australia, and Belgium are your top picks—nations where life, culture, and climate align beautifully for restorative rest. Their secret? Respectful routines, calm environments, and societal rhythms that honour sleep.

Let Sleep Scents bring a piece of that peace into your own bedtime ritual—because everyone deserves to sleep as well as the world’s top sleepers.