Key Takeaway: A new CDC report looks at how common fatigue is among U.S. adults, and how frequent fatigue is associated with work, concentration, social activities and more.
Feeling tired from time to time is normal. A long day, a few nights of poor sleep or a busy stretch can leave almost anyone feeling worn out. But for some people, fatigue is more than an occasional feeling.
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics found that over 71 percent of U.S. adults experienced fatigue symptoms at least some days during a three-month period in 2024.
For more than 16 percent of adults, fatigue was more frequent. These adults said they felt very tired or exhausted most days or every day.
The findings offer a closer look at how common fatigue is and how it can affect more than just your energy level.
Tired or Fatigued? There’s a Difference
We often use “tired” and “fatigued” to mean the same thing. But they aren’t necessarily the same. The CDC describes fatigue as physical or mental tiredness or exhaustion that may not improve with additional sleep or rest. Sleepiness, on the other hand, means feeling drowsy or having trouble staying awake.
The CDC report found that over a three-month period:
- 54.9 percent of adults felt very tired or exhausted some days
- 10.7 percent felt that way most days
- 5.9 percent felt that way every day
- 28.5 percent never felt very tired or exhausted
The people who reported feeling very tired or exhausted most days or every day were classified as having frequent fatigue.
Who Experiences Frequent Fatigue?
Frequent fatigue wasn’t reported equally across all groups. Women were more likely than men to report frequent fatigue, at 20 percent compared with 13 percent.
Younger adults also reported it more often. Nearly 1 in 5 adults ages 18 to 34 reported frequent fatigue, compared with 12.9 percent of adults ages 65 and older.
The report also found differences based on family income, geographic region and whether people lived in urban or rural areas.
How Fatigue Is Linked to Daily Life
One of the more striking parts of the report is what frequent fatigue can look like beyond simply feeling exhausted.
Among adults with frequent fatigue:
- Almost 70 percent reported anxiety symptoms at least monthly
- 46 percent reported difficulty with cognition, including concentration or memory
- 45 percent reported depression symptoms at least monthly
Frequent fatigue was also associated with limitations in everyday activities.
About 36 percent of adults with frequent fatigue also reported limitations in the kind or amount of work they could do. Nearly 29 percent also reported difficulty participating in social activities.
That can mean more than feeling like you need an extra cup of coffee. For some people, ongoing fatigue may make it harder to concentrate at work, keep up with responsibilities or spend time with friends and family.
The CDC report shows an association between frequent fatigue and these difficulties but it does not establish that fatigue causes anxiety, depression, cognitive difficulties or limitations at work or in social activities. Other health conditions and contributing factors may also play a role.
What Can Cause Fatigue?
There isn’t a single explanation for why someone may feel fatigued.
Poor sleep is one possibility, but fatigue can also be related to lifestyle factors such as diet and stress, certain medications, or an underlying health condition. Conditions such as anemia, thyroid disorders, diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea can contribute to ongoing fatigue. Oftentimes, fatigue is multifactorial, meaning there is more than one underlying cause.
That’s why persistent fatigue shouldn’t always be brushed off as simply being busy or not getting enough sleep. If you’re regularly feeling exhausted even after getting adequate rest, or if fatigue is interfering with your work, relationships or everyday activities, talk with your healthcare provider. They can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms, whether you need further evaluation, and what next steps can help you feel your best.
For more information about the possible causes of fatigue and steps you can take to improve your energy, read Why Am I So Tired? Causes of Fatigue and How to Get Your Energy Back.
