Annual payroll waste tied to sleepy employees in Russian companies runs into trillions. In Russia, reports indicate that misalignment between rest and performance costs the economy roughly 3.5 trillion rubles each year. This finding comes from a study conducted by the NAFI Analytical Center, which highlights a broader fatigue trend among workers. In parallel, surveys show that nearly half of employed citizens say they suffer from insomnia enough to affect daily life.
Experts from NAFI explain that reduced productivity on days when sleep is insufficient translates into higher payroll costs for employers. When an employee is sluggish or unfocused, output declines, and the employer ends up paying for lower efficiency. This is not just a theoretical concern; it materially affects company performance and wage efficiency across sectors.
According to NAFI, the scale of overpayments amounts to an average of 291 billion rubles each month, totaling about 3.5 trillion rubles in a year. The analysis notes that current estimates mark an increase of around 100 billion rubles per month compared with figures from 2019, underscoring a growing productivity challenge linked to sleep and wakefulness in the workforce.
The study also finds that on average Russians report feeling sleep deprived about four days per week. In all, 48 percent of respondents acknowledge insomnia, marking a significant portion of the workforce contending with rest deficiencies that can ripple through work performance and decision making.
Age appears to shape the burden of sleep loss, with the 35 to 44 age group most affected. Among this cohort, insomnia prevalence stands at about 59 percent. Gender differences are also evident: sleep deprivation is reported slightly more often by women than men, with women constituting roughly 58 percent of those experiencing insufficient rest.
The broader implications of sleep deprivation extend beyond immediate fatigue. Previous research and clinical commentary have linked chronic sleep shortage to disruptions across body systems and even serious health risks, including cardiovascular complications. In some cases, prolonged poor sleep is associated with heightened risks of heart events or stroke, especially when fatigue intersects with symptoms such as impaired perception or cognitive overload. In discussing these connections, a neurologist from the Hadassah Israel clinic in Skolkovo has emphasized the real-world impact of sleep issues on daily functioning and long-term health.
Addressing this challenge calls for a multipronged approach. Employers can support better sleep hygiene through reasonable work schedules, predictable routines, and policies that reduce after-hours pressure. Workers can benefit from education on the importance of sleep, access to resources for sleep improvement, and an awareness of how fatigue affects safety and performance at the job site. Health professionals also play a critical role by screening for sleep disorders, offering guidance on sleep strategies, and coordinating care when insomnia or other sleep disorders are identified. Reducing sleep-related inefficiencies is not merely a personal wellness issue; it is a strategic business concern tied to productivity, safety, and overall economic health. The data from NAFI serves as a wake-up call for policymakers and corporate leaders to integrate sleep science into workforce planning and health programs. It is a reminder that rest is a productivity tool, not a luxury, and that better sleep supports sharper decision making, quicker reaction times, and more consistent performance across industries.