Persistent financial hardship may have lasting effects on brain health, with new research suggesting that years of money-related stress are associated with poorer memory, reduced cognitive function and faster brain ageing.
The study, which analyzed data from 2,759 people in the United Kingdom, found that individuals who experienced ongoing financial difficulties during early and middle adulthood performed worse on cognitive tests by the age of 53 than those who had not faced prolonged economic hardship.
Researchers also discovered signs of significant brain atrophy by age 71 among participants who had experienced long-term low income or recurring financial struggles, pointing to a possible connection between chronic economic stress and accelerated ageing of the brain.
Jacques Wels, a researcher at University College London and one of the study’s authors, said the findings indicate that sustained hardship has a greater impact on cognitive health than occasional financial setbacks.
“The accumulation of hardship over many years is linked to the worst cognitive health outcomes, rather than occasional episodes of adversity,” Wels said.
The researchers observed another unexpected pattern. Participants who experienced persistent financial hardship showed a slower decline in verbal memory between the ages of 53 and 69. According to the study, this may indicate that much of the cognitive damage had already occurred before middle age, leaving less room for additional decline during later years.
The authors suggested that long-term financial pressure places a continuous burden on the brain by increasing cognitive load. Constant concerns about paying bills, managing expenses and maintaining financial security may reduce the mental resources available for attention, planning and decision-making.
The study noted that chronic financial adversity may place prolonged stress on the systems responsible for cognitive processing, gradually contributing to cognitive impairment over time.
Researchers also found that the effects of financial stress were more pronounced among men, people who experienced disadvantaged childhoods and those carrying genetic risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
The findings come as dementia continues to pose a growing public health challenge worldwide. According to the study, around 57 million people were living with dementia in 2019, and that figure is expected to exceed 150 million by 2050 as populations continue to age.
Scientists have increasingly focused on identifying risk factors that can be changed through public health policies or personal interventions. The authors said reducing chronic financial hardship could become an important strategy for protecting long-term brain health alongside established measures such as healthy lifestyles and regular medical care.
The research also arrives during a period when many households continue to face higher living costs and economic uncertainty. The authors argued that stronger social and economic support for financially vulnerable populations could provide benefits that extend beyond financial well-being.
“Our findings suggest that supporting people facing financial hardship and reducing chronic poverty could also help prevent cognitive decline and dementia cases in the future,” said Praveetha Patalay, the study’s senior author.
The researchers said the results highlight the close relationship between economic conditions and long-term health, suggesting that policies aimed at reducing persistent poverty may also help improve cognitive health as populations grow older.
