For generations, the idea that women talk more than men has been deeply ingrained in cultures around the world.
From proverbs to comedy routines, the stereotype is so widespread that it feels like an undeniable truth. But is it really?
A groundbreaking new study challenges this long-held belief, revealing a far more nuanced picture. And the answer may surprise you.
A Long-Held Assumption Gets Put to the Test
In 2007, researchers at the University of Arizona set out to test whether men and women truly differ in how much they speak.
Using a device called the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR)—which periodically captured snippets of conversation—the team analyzed speech patterns among 500 men and women.
The result? Virtually no difference.
Both men and women spoke around 16,000 words per day on average—completely debunking the stereotype that women are significantly more talkative.
Yet, critics of the study pointed out a few flaws: the sample size was small, and most participants were college students in Austin, Texas.
Could the findings really apply across different ages and cultures? Researchers decided to dig deeper.
A Larger Study Paints a More Complex Picture
Fast-forward to 2025, and a much larger follow-up study has changed the conversation yet again.
Published in the journal APA PsycNet, the study analyzed over 630,000 audio recordings from 2,197 participants across four countries, spanning ages 10 to 94.
This massive dataset revealed a fascinating pattern: while women and men spoke similar amounts overall, there was a key exception.
During early and middle adulthood (ages 25 to 64), women spoke on average 3,275 more words per day than men.
In contrast, younger participants (10–24) and older adults (65+) showed little to no difference in word count.
This suggests that the real divide isn’t between men and women in general—it’s between life stages.
Why Do Women Speak More in Midlife?
This is where things get really interesting. If the difference were biological, researchers would expect to see it in all age groups.
But since the pattern appears only in adulthood, the explanation likely has more to do with social roles than inherent differences.
One possibility? Child-rearing and caregiving responsibilities.
Women in midlife often juggle communication-heavy roles—talking to children, coordinating household tasks, and managing social networks.
“Gender-linked differences in child-rearing and family care are one possibility that could account for this difference,” explains study co-author Matthias Mehl, a psychology professor at the University of Arizona.
Notably, the trend doesn’t persist into older adulthood, which further suggests that the driving force isn’t genetics, but life responsibilities that shift over time.
Are We Talking Less Than Before?
Beyond gender differences, the study uncovered another surprising trend: People are talking less overall.
Between 2005 and 2018, the average number of words spoken per day dropped from 16,000 to 13,000—a decline of about 300 words per year.
What’s behind this shift?
The most likely culprit is digital communication.
With texting, social media, and online messaging replacing face-to-face interaction, traditional conversations are happening less frequently.
“We did a full analysis looking at what year the data were collected and found that, indeed, 300 spoken words on average per year go missing,” says study co-lead author Valeria Pfeifer, a postdoctoral researcher in psychology.
Measuring Social Health
This decline in verbal communication raises an important question: How much should we actually be talking?
“We know how much we need to sleep, how much we need to exercise, but we have no idea how much we’re supposed to socialize,” says Mehl.
To answer this, his team is developing a new tool called the SocialBit—a wearable device that measures daily conversation time, much like a Fitbit tracks steps or heart rate.
The goal? To better understand how talking impacts mental health, well-being, and longevity.
“We already have strong evidence that socializing is as crucial to health as exercise and sleep,” Mehl adds.
It’s Not About Gender, It’s About Life Stages
So, do women really talk more than men? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no.
While the stereotype may hold true during midlife, the broader reality is that social roles—not biology—drive these differences.
And as our communication methods evolve, it’s possible that verbal speech itself may continue to decline, replaced by text and digital interactions.
But one thing remains clear: human connection, whether spoken or typed, is a fundamental part of who we are.
And in an increasingly digital world, maybe it’s time to be more intentional about how much we actually talk.
