UK and Ireland Named Sleep Talking Capitals of Europe

New data from Winstons Beds reveals that the UK and Ireland are Europe’s top sleep talkers, with more searches for ‘sleep talking’ than any other country.

Using Google Trends data, the number of searches for ‘sleep talking’ was analysed for each country to see which nations might be afflicted by nighttime nattering.

The UK tops the list with 15,800 monthly searches, while their neighbours across the Irish Sea aren’t far behind with just over 13,100 searches. Whether it’s recounting the day’s events, reliving dreams, or spinning tales in their sleep, Brits and Irish alike seem to have plenty to say once their heads hit the pillow.

Elsewhere in Europe, Italy (2,540), France (2,240), and the Netherlands (1,540) also show a proclivity towards sleep talking. These countries, known for their extensive histories and rich cultures, clearly can’t resist continuing their spirited discussions in their dreams.

At the other end of the spectrum is Croatia with just 50 relevant searches per month, and Denmark with 200. It seems these countries enjoy a more tranquil night’s sleep, free from the chatter that keeps others awake.

The data was collected using Google Trends. It looks at the number of searches for ‘sleep talking’ in different European countries over the last 12 months, both in English and in each country’s own national language or languages, for example “sprechen im Schlaf” in Germany and “parlare nel sonno” in Italy.

The data also takes into account global search volumes for “sleep talking” in each relevant language.

Google Trends provides real-time and historical data on how often specific terms are searched on Google. So high search volumes for “sleep talking” suggest that a significant number of people are experiencing or are concerned about this phenomenon in those countries.

Commenting on the data, Rebecca Swain, sleep expert at WinstonsBeds.com said: “It’s really interesting to see the UK and Ireland topping the charts for sleep talking searches in Europe.

“Sleep talking, or somniloquy, is a pretty common phenomenon that can be influenced by a variety of factors, including stress, sleep deprivation, and even genetics!

“The high search volumes in various countries could also reflect a growing awareness and concern about sleep health. In today’s fast-paced world, our brains are often still processing information long after we’ve gone to bed, which can manifest as talking during sleep.

“While usually harmless, frequent sleep talking can sometimes indicate underlying sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, so it’s important for those who experience persistent or disruptive sleep talking to consult with a healthcare professional.”