The average number of words spoken daily has decreased by approximately 30% compared to 20 years ago, according to a study published in Perspectives on Psychological Science. This decline in spoken language is linked by researchers to potential negative social and emotional implications, including an increase in loneliness and a weakening of interpersonal relationships.
The study, which analyzed data from roughly 2,200 participants primarily in the U.S., found that individuals now speak an average of 12,792 words per day. A significant portion of this decline is observed in individuals under 25 years old, who speak an average of 451 fewer words annually, a 44% greater decrease than participants aged 25 and older, who lost 314 words annually.
Valeria Pfeifer, a co-author of the study from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, suggested that the rise of the "convenience economy" contributes to this trend. This economy often replaces face-to-face interactions with services that can be accessed through technology, such as ordering food or coffee via an app, thereby reducing opportunities for casual conversation.
"Likely a contributing factor is we have technology replacing situations where we have to talk to each other," Pfeifer stated. "You can use an app to order your coffee instead of talking to your barista, for example."
Experts also noted that communicating through text messages and other forms of written digital communication may foster weaker social bonds compared to in-person conversations, as nuance can be lost. This reduction in spoken dialogue could be contributing to what is referred to as a "loneliness epidemic," leading to individuals feeling more isolated.
The analysis incorporated data from 22 separate studies conducted between 2005 and 2019. While the study primarily focused on participants in the U.S., it also included data from Mexico, Australia, and Europe. Researchers hypothesize that the trend has likely intensified since 2019, particularly following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to increased remote work and social distancing measures that further limited casual in-person interactions.