Researchers at Aalto University in Finland explored how an individual’s preferred sleep timing relates to health habits and earnings. The study, published in Economics and Human Biology, analyzed whether those who favor late bedtimes show different income patterns compared with early sleepers.
Data came from a long-running, population-based cohort of Finns enrolled in 1966. The researchers examined chronotype, daily routines, and salary information for about 5,000 participants. Chronotype describes a person’s natural inclination for sleeping and waking, a trait shaped by evolution and biology. In common terms, it includes the categories of early risers, evening types, and those with mixed patterns.
The analysis revealed that an evening chronotype exerts an indirect influence on earnings. Late sleepers were more prone to unhealthy lifestyles, including reduced physical activity, higher smoking rates, and greater alcohol consumption. They also reported more sleep problems, particularly insomnia. These factors collectively correlated with lower wages when compared with early chronotypes.
Looking ahead, the researchers plan more work to determine whether these relationships reflect cause-and-effect dynamics or are influenced by other factors. The goal is to understand how chronotype interacts with daily behavior and economic outcomes over time.
Ultimately, the findings suggest that sleep timing is linked to broader health and financial profiles. Addressing sleep health and related behaviors could be a potential avenue for improving overall well-being and economic outcomes for individuals who lean toward late bedtimes.