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Can work protect against age-related decline of cognitive skills?: An empirical test of the use-it-or-lose-it hypothesis

In: A Research Agenda for Skills and Inequality

Author

Listed:
  • Mark Levels
  • Rolf van der Velden

Abstract

Cognitive ability generally declines with age in older adults, but literature suggests that this process may be slowed or even halted by actively engaging in cognitive activities. The evidence for this so-called use-it-or-lose-it hypothesis is mixed. We analyze numeracy skills data from 7733 adults over age 40 in 21 countries. Using propensity score matching on a large number of observable characteristics, we compare the numeracy skills of adults who have stopped working only very recently before the measurement of their skills to adults that are comparable on observable variables but are still working. In line with the use-it-or-lose-it hypothesis, we observe that those who are still working are slightly more numerically skilled than comparable adults who have stopped working.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Levels & Rolf van der Velden, 2023. "Can work protect against age-related decline of cognitive skills?: An empirical test of the use-it-or-lose-it hypothesis," Chapters, in: Michael Tåhlin (ed.), A Research Agenda for Skills and Inequality, chapter 10, pages 161-176, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:elg:eechap:20326_10
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