Over the past decade, many countries and regions of the world have abandoned daylight saving time and winter time. Others continue this practice, despite doctors’ warnings about health hazards.
In spring, the hands “jump forward” by an hour; in autumn, they “roll back”.
In the past, this system was almost universal: according to the Pew Research Centre (2023), half of the world’s countries followed it. Today, only a third do.
Where else is time being rolled back
The U.S., Europe, parts of Canada, Australia, Latin America, Brazil and the Caribbean observe daylight saving time the most.
But there are also countries that have completely abandoned the habit: almost all of Asia, most of Africa, as well as Azerbaijan, Iran, Jordan, Namibia, Russia, Samoa, Syria, Turkey, Uruguay and most of Mexico.
In the United States, daylight saving time is not in effect in Hawaii, Arizona and the U.S. territories of Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
In December 2024, Donald Trump announced his intention to abolish daylight saving time in the US, calling it “inconvenient” and “expensive”. But in March 2025, he admitted: “that it’s 50/50”.
In Ukraine, there is still a tradition of changing the clock, so on 26 October 2025 at 4:00 am the hands will be moved back an hour to winter time.
Despite the bill adopted by the Verkhovna Rada in 2024 to abolish daylight saving time, it has not been signed by the president, so seasonal translations continue.
Why the transfer can be harmful to health
Daylight saving time increases the number of accidents, work injuries and medical errors.
Spain recorded a 30 per cent increase in fatal accidents on spring transition day, while in the US, workplace injuries increased by almost 6 per cent on the first Monday after the clock change.
Photo by Getty Images
Heart and blood vessels
In spring, the risk of heart attacks increases by 4-29% and strokes by 3-8% during the first week after switching hands. Women and the elderly are most affected.
“Time changes can affect heart function, mood and cognitive function,” warns GP Nesochi Okeke – Igbokwe.
Psychics
In a 2017 study published in the journal Epidemiology, researchers analysed data from the Danish Central Psychiatric Registry. Nearly 200,000 hospitalisations due to single-phase nominate lighting.
And in practice, Germany was the first to implement this experience during the First World War. The main goal was simple: more light in the evening, more time to rest.
But whether switching the clocks really saves energy is debatable.
Some studies show a 0.5 per cent saving, others show a 4 per cent increase in consumption.
Arizona abandoned switching the clocks in 1967 because turning on air conditioners in the summer increased energy consumption.
Today, Arizona is one of the few U.S. states that does not use daylight saving time.
Because of global warming and the increasing need for air conditioners, it is possible that soon other states, provinces and countries will also abandon the habit of switching hands.
The future of switching clocks
In Europe, it has been exico for several years now.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises leaving the standard time constant throughout the year. This is more in line with human biology and is good for health and safety.
What people think
“The public health system exists for people and by people,” explains Jagdish Khubchandanani. – Therefore, it is important to consider public opinion. Among those surveyed, there are few people who favour a switch to clocks. “
Yes, a Monmouth University poll found that about two-thirds of Americans would like to do away with seasonal time changes.
In the Canadian province of British Columbia, a government poll found that 93 per cent of residents want to stay on the same time forever and not change hands.
In 2018, the European Commission conducted a poll and found that 84% of participants were in favour of abolishing the