Spoken Words Per Person Are Declining

(SeaPRwire) –   Human verbal communication is on the decline—and significantly so.

A recent study conducted by U.S. researchers reveals that between 2005 and 2019, the average daily word count per person dropped by 28%.

“We calculated a reduction of roughly 330 spoken words per day for each year during that timeframe,” explains Matthias Mehl, a professor of social psychology at the University of Arizona. This equates to approximately 120,000 fewer words annually, totaling millions over the 15-year study period. He describes this as a “substantial loss.”

The findings emerged after Mehl and his colleague, Valeria Pfeifer of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, examined audio recordings from over 2,000 participants, primarily Americans. These random samples of daily life showed that while the average person spoke about 16,600 words daily in 2005, that number had fallen to under 12,000 by 2019.

“My initial reaction was disbelief; I thought we needed to re-examine the data,” Mehl recalls. However, after confirming their findings, the team realized the decrease in speech was not only accurate but had occurred consistently year after year.

While the researchers did not investigate the specific causes of this trend, Mehl suggests that modern technology likely plays a major role.

The study included participants aged 10 to 94. Although verbal communication decreased across all age brackets, the decline was more pronounced in those under 25. Mehl notes that younger generations rely more heavily on text and messaging platforms, and this shift toward non-verbal, smartphone-based interaction is almost certainly a contributing factor.

Social isolation is another probable cause.

Since the early 2000s, time-use surveys in the U.S. have consistently shown an increase in solitary time and a decrease in social participation. This era has also seen a surge in remote work and a reduction in collaborative office environments. Mehl explains that it is logical to conclude that if people spend less time together—both professionally and personally—they will naturally speak less.

A more subtle factor may be the disappearance of casual conversation in public settings.

Mehl highlights that innovations like contactless payments and digital ordering systems have minimized the necessity for human interaction. “We can now buy groceries without speaking to a cashier, and in restaurants, we can order and pay without ever engaging with a server,” he says. “While these advancements make daily life more efficient, they may also be making our social lives more basic.”

Combined, these factors are creating a society where face-to-face verbal interaction is becoming increasingly rare—a trend Mehl views as problematic.

When text replaces speech, we lose the nuance provided by tone, body language, and other verbal and non-verbal cues. “Text is inherently ambiguous,” he notes. “We use emojis to mitigate that uncertainty, but humans are wired to process facial expressions, gestures, and the rhythm of speech as a complete experience. These elements are essential for fostering feelings of connection and understanding.”

Though a reduction in idle chatter with strangers might seem trivial, research indicates that such small talk is surprisingly beneficial for our well-being.

“These brief interactions boost our mood and help us feel more connected,” says Gillian Sandstrom, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Sussex.

Sandstrom, author of the book Once Upon a Stranger, explores the unexpected advantages of interacting with unfamiliar people. She notes that researchers have traditionally focused on close relationships with family and friends. Her work, however, centers on “outer-circle” interactions with acquaintances and strangers. Far from being unnecessary, these spontaneous, fleeting conversations contribute to a sense of belonging.

“These interactions usually go better than we anticipate, leaving us with the impression that people are generally good,” she says. Such seemingly minor exchanges strengthen community bonds and our faith in humanity.

Furthermore, frequent conversation—especially with those outside our inner circle—increases our comfort level in social settings. “Social interaction is a skill like any other,” she explains. “If you don’t practice it, your proficiency declines.”

Sandstrom, who identifies as an introvert, used to avoid small talk. However, her research has taught her the value of engaging with people she doesn’t know well. “Many of us struggle with shyness or social anxiety and need a push to enter these uncomfortable situations,” she says. “But the more you do it, the better you become and the more you appreciate the benefits.”

The most significant advantage of these conversations—and the one we may miss most if we continue to talk less—is the hardest to quantify, she adds.

“These small exchanges add up to a feeling that people are generally good, that I can talk to anyone, and that I have a place in this world,” she says. “That is difficult to measure, but it is something we all fundamentally need.”