A new national study reveals that nearly one in three Moroccans suffers from insomnia, with women twice as likely to be affected as men. Researchers warn that sleep disturbances have become a growing public health issue in Morocco, calling for gender-sensitive prevention and care measures. A nationwide study has revealed alarming rates of sleep disturbances in Morocco, particularly among women, highlighting insomnia as a growing public health concern. Conducted across seven regions and involving 1,010 participants, the research, «Prevalence of Sleep Disturbances in Morocco», found that nearly two-thirds of respondents reported at least one sleep problem. While 30.2% of participants suffer from insomnia symptoms, 17.9% experience excessive daytime sleepiness. Findings further reveal that 33.4% of women reported insomnia symptoms compared to 18.9% of men, while 19.8% of women suffered from excessive daytime sleepiness, nearly double the male rate (11.3%). «Female sex was a significant risk factor», the authors concluded, noting that women were twice as likely to experience both insomnia and daytime sleepiness. Educational level also influenced the prevalence of sleep disturbances, though age was not a determining factor for insomnia. The study's authors emphasized the social and psychological toll of poor sleep, linking it to «decreased performance, depression, and overall poor quality of life». Insomnia, significant yet understudied public health challenge Carried out between March 2022 and April 2024 by a professional call center, the survey used standardized scales, the Athens Insomnia Scale and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, adapted to Moroccan cultural and linguistic contexts. It covered regions including Fez-Meknes, Casablanca-Settat, Marrakech-Safi, and the Oriental, revealing striking regional disparities. The Fez-Meknes region recorded the highest prevalence (23.7%), followed by Beni Mellal-Khenifra and Marrakech-Safi, while Rabat-Salé-Kénitra reported the lowest rate (0.29%). The authors describe the findings as «the first quantitative assessment of sleep disturbances in Morocco», and note that insomnia is «a significant yet understudied public health challenge» affecting productivity, mental well-being, and daily functioning. The paper concludes with a call for targeted, gender-sensitive interventions, better access to diagnostics, and public awareness campaigns promoting sleep hygiene and mental health care.
