Who is feeling the most exhausted? One country is reporting remarkably high levels of fatigue. A large survey found that 71.5% of adults in the U.S. experienced fatigue on multiple days over a three-month period, while about one in six said they felt fatigued most days or every day. Fatigue goes beyond simply feeling sleepy and is defined as physical or mental exhaustion that doesn't improve with additional sleep or rest.
The findings also revealed some surprising differences in who feels the most drained. Adults ages 18 to 34 reported the highest rate of regular fatigue, while those 65 and older reported the lowest. Women were also more likely to experience regular fatigue than men. While the survey only examined U.S. adults and can't tell us whether Americans are literally the world's most exhausted population, it paints a striking picture of just how widespread exhaustion has become there.
Constant exhaustion isn't necessarily something to shrug off. Fatigue can accompany other health problems or occur as a side effect of certain medications, and people reporting fatigue were more likely to experience cognitive difficulties, anxiety and symptoms of depression. If you're regularly exhausted even after getting enough rest, consider that your body may be telling you to look beyond sleep for the reason why.
SOURCE:
Independent, September 13, 2026