Sleep apnoea increasingly common among people in Finland – 67% increase in insurance statistics
Insurance statistics on sleep apnoea have indicated a significant rise in the 2020s. The majority of insurance claims related to sleep apnoea, a disorder characterised by breathing pauses during sleep, are paid to customers between the ages of 40 and 69, Pohjola Insurance statistics show.
An increasing number of people in Finland are affected by sleep apnoea, Pohjola Insurance statistics reveal. Sleep apnoea is a disorder that blocks the upper airway, causing repeated breathing pauses during sleep and significantly increased risks of heart attacks and other complications.
From 2020 to 2024, the number of claims related to sleep apnoea received each year rose by about 67%. In the same period, the amount of insurance payouts has also increased by about 150%. An especially sharp increase in both the number of claims and the amounts paid out from insurance occurred in 2023, when an exceptionally high number of surgeries related to sleep apnoea were performed.
Business Lead, Personal Insurance at Pohjola Insurance Atte Erkamo believes that the trend is likely the sum of several factors rather than a dramatic increase in the number of cases of sleep apnoea.
"The numbers are probably influenced by growing awareness of sleep problems, as a result of which more people seek out reasons and help for their symptoms from health care services. In particular, the share of examinations and doctors' fees have also increased in recent years."
Sleep apnoea especially common among ages above 40 and men
Men receive 63% of the amount paid by Pohjola Insurance in compensation for sleep apnoea-related claims. A clear spike can be seen among ages 40 to 69, which is also the age group with the highest average BMI among people in Finland, according to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
Obesity is a significant risk factor that has been found to increase the risk of developing sleep apnoea manifold. According to Eurostat, nearly 60% of people in Finland over the age of 16 are overweight.
"Obesity and its associated diseases can already be considered endemic in Finland. Our statistics show that in addition to sleep apnoea, insurance payouts related to obesity and its associated diseases have increased significantly in recent years," says Erkamo.
Besides obesity, risk factors of sleep apnoea include a narrow nasal passage or throat, large tonsils and bite issues.
Media inquiries:
OP Financial Group Communications, tel. 010 252 8719, viestinta@op.fi
Pohjola Insurance is Finland’s leading non-life insurer with a total of 2.5 million private and corporate customers. It provides an extensive range of non-life insurance services to private, corporate and institutional clients. Pohjola Insurance is part of OP Financial Group which is Finland's largest financial services group.