Tony Ma, a recent PhD graduate from the China University of Political Science and Law, spent four years battling chronic sleep disturbances. Late nights dedicated to his thesis disrupted his circadian rhythm, leading to difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, and shortened sleep duration.
Earlier this year, Ma sought help at the First People’s Hospital of Yinchuan in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. After ruling out psychological causes like depression and anxiety, doctors prescribed traditional Chinese medicine sleep aids and recommended lifestyle adjustments. Within a month of treatment, Ma was finally able to sleep soundly again.
Ma’s experience is not unique. Across the Chinese mainland, awareness is growing that sleep disorders are medical issues requiring professional care. Social media platforms are filled with thousands sharing their journeys through sleep clinics, sparking widespread public discourse on sleep health.
Recognizing the importance of this issue, Lei Haichao, head of the National Health Commission, announced that sleep and mental health clinics are expected to be available in every prefecture-level city across the Chinese mainland by the end of 2025. Many public hospitals have already initiated such services.
The 2025 China Sleep Health Survey Report by the China Sleep Big Data Center reveals that adults aged 18 and above average just over seven hours of sleep per night, with nearly half experiencing sleep disturbances. Women are more affected than men, and sleep issues increase with age. Younger individuals tend to go to bed later, with a significant percentage of those born after 1990 falling asleep after midnight.
Sleep disorders encompass conditions like insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and circadian rhythm disorders. Accurate diagnosis often requires specialized tools like polysomnography. Dr. He Guohua, chief neurologist at Changsha Central Hospital in Hunan Province, warns that sleep disorders can lead to cognitive impairments, metabolic disruptions, increased risk of chronic conditions, and weakened immune systems.
The growing public awareness has fueled rapid growth in the sleep health industry. The market size expanded from 261.63 billion yuan (approximately $36 billion) in 2016 to 495.58 billion yuan (approximately $68 billion) in 2023, with projections suggesting it could surpass one trillion yuan by 2030.
This expansion includes a booming market for sleep aids like melatonin supplements, non-invasive ventilators, and noise-canceling earplugs. There’s also a rising demand for smart devices like sleep-monitoring wristbands and sleep-assisting apps. Industry reports indicate a trend toward greater intelligence, specialization, and cross-sector integration in the sleep health sector.
