A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study indicates that women experience fatigue at higher rates than men, with federal data confirming that over half of women report feeling fatigued on some days. Nearly 20% of women stated that they experience fatigue most days or every day.
Clinical psychologist Jennifer Caspari suggested that this gender disparity in fatigue may stem from women often facing a greater number of responsibilities compared to men, in addition to hormonal fluctuations. The study, which surveyed nearly 27,000 adults aged 18 and older in 2024, also found that younger adults, between 18 and 34, were more likely to report frequent fatigue, while men and individuals aged 65 and older were less likely to report such symptoms.
Overall, one in six adults reported experiencing frequent fatigue, defined as feeling tired "most days or every day." General fatigue, which is more intense than simple sleepiness, is described by researchers as "physical or mental tiredness or exhaustion that does not improve with additional sleep or rest."
According to sociologist Natalie A.E. Young, lead author of the report, individuals experiencing frequent fatigue symptoms are also more prone to other difficulties that impede daily functioning, including cognitive challenges, depression, and anxiety. "So it’s not just that fatigue is common," Young stated. "It’s that fatigue is common and those with fatigue are facing limitations in their daily lives."
The study also noted regional differences in fatigue prevalence, with nearly 18% of adults in the South and Midwest experiencing frequent fatigue, compared to about 15% in the West and Northeast. The CDC report does not specify the causes of these fatigue rates or compare them to previous years.