Saudis do not sleep at night during Ramadan 
A survey conducted in 2025 by the National Center for Public Opinion Polls in Saudi Arabia revealed that 28 percent of Saudis do not sleep at night during Ramadan. This may explain the laziness, lethargy, and decreased productivity during the holy month.
The survey highlighted changes in daily habits in Saudi society during the month of fasting, particularly in sleeping patterns, eating habits, and television viewing.
Regarding sleep, 33 percent of participants said they sleep no more than three hours a night, or between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., representing the largest group, while 43 percent prefer to eat their main meal all at once, after the Maghrib call to prayer and before the prayer.
The result is unsurprising, yet notably, 53 percent do not watch television at all. Viewing during sahoor does not exceed 11 percent, and at iftar, it drops to just 2 percent.
This suggests that traditional prime time may have shifted to other platforms, such as social media or digital streaming services.
The Saudi labor system reduces working hours during Ramadan from eight to six hours in both the public and private sectors, for a total of 36 hours per week, according to Article 89.
However, this reduction appears to have little effect. Productivity is widely known to be at its lowest during fasting, not because of hunger and thirst, but due to lack of sleep and the absence of stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine for those accustomed to them, as well as the tendency of some employees to take a vacation during this month.
Saudi economic experts estimate an average productivity decline of 25 percent. A 2016 study found that Arab countries lose an average of seven days of productivity during Ramadan, resulting in economic losses of approximately $5.8 billion for Gulf countries.
Furthermore, a second opinion poll conducted the same year on the Ramadan work environment in the Middle East found that 85 percent of company managers postpone important decisions until after Ramadan.
I do not believe the situation is different in the government sector. In my view, there are two reasons for this. First, the nature of the month of worship and the desire to avoid causing psychological or professional harm. Second, decisions may be made in moments of anger or without sufficient study, leading to disastrous outcomes that do not serve business interests.
In my opinion, excessive consumption of food and sugars of all kinds, along with their high-calorie content, is the primary cause of professional and health problems associated with fasting.
People should focus on fluid intake between iftar and sahoor, as most people have sufficient fat reserves to go without food for several days without harm. At iftar, one should not consume more than 200 milligrams of caffeine, and it should be avoided entirely at sahoor to prevent dehydration and excessive thirst during fasting.
Fasting exists in most religions. In Christianity, it is observed as Lent, which lasts 40 days, during which those who fast abstain from animal products, following the example of Jesus Christ. In their view, meat makes people lustful and heavy, preventing the soul from rising and ascending.
In Judaism, there is the Day of Atonement fast, which lasts 25 hours, during which participants abstain from eating, drinking, bathing, using perfume, and wearing leather shoes, replacing them with cloth shoes or going barefoot.
Fasting among Hindus varies according to the deity. The most common practices include Thursday fasting in devotion to Vishnu, Monday fasting in devotion to Shiva, and Ekadashi fasting, during which participants refrain from eating grains such as rice and wheat.
In Buddhism, often considered more a philosophy than a religion, monks fast for 18 hours a day throughout their lives to achieve mental clarity and attain nirvana, while lay Buddhists fast only on full-moon days.
It is noteworthy that some companies in the US require their employees to fast to increase productivity. Western studies show that fasting in its various forms, including intermittent dry fasting during Ramadan, supports memory and concentration, improves mood, enhances the brain’s ability to adapt to change and stress, and boosts overall energy. These benefits, however, depend on sufficient sleep and healthy eating.
A Gulf study published in 2023 found that productivity during Ramadan rises by 66 percent when flexible and remote working systems are adopted. A Saudi study published in 2024 showed that flexible working hours achieve a 42 percent improvement in work-life balance and enhance concentration and productivity during Ramadan and beyond.
I believe these are the most practical solutions for Saudis, as changing sleeping patterns and eating habits is difficult, especially since they are deeply rooted in collective memory and tied to emotions and traditions that are hard to abandon, despite their health risks and economic cost.
• Dr. Bader bin Saud is a columnist for Al-Riyadh newspaper, a media and knowledge management researcher, an expert and university professor in crowd management and strategic planning, and the former deputy commander of the Special Forces for Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
X: @BaderbinSaud
