Gaby
It turns out that night owls typically earn less than early birds. This was demonstrated by a team of researchers from the University of Oulu in Finland, who found an average income gap of four percent between the two groups.
During their study, the scientists uncovered a connection between the body’s internal clock (circadian rhythms), lifestyle choices, and salary levels. They noted that their findings primarily pertain to middle-aged individuals who dedicate more time to work.
What the Researchers Discovered
The team analyzed data on education, work experience, lifestyle, and health status from 12,000 individuals.
The researchers paid particular attention to night owls—those who belong to the so-called evening chronotype, as reported by the Daily Mail. It turns out that people who are active in the evening and at night often exhibit negative traits associated with lower earnings. These include smoking, higher alcohol consumption, lack of physical exercise, a high BMI, unhealthy eating habits, and prolonged screen time.
The team calculated that participants with an evening chronotype earn four percent less than early risers.
Dr. Andrew Conlin, a co-author of the study, believes that night owls “tend to accumulate less human, social, and medical capital.” Poor lifestyle choices in middle age, he says, are linked to lower income levels.
The team emphasized that the study’s findings could assist employers in recognizing the chronotypes of their employees. Since night owls are more active and alert during the dark hours, they often face sleep issues. Consequently, they struggle to focus during the most productive parts of the day, the researchers added.
Individuals with an evening chronotype are likely to earn more if they take their lifestyle seriously. This was noted by the researchers in their report published in the journal Economics and Human Biology.
