Gender Differences in Cognitive Decline among Older Adults and the Role of Digital Inclusion: Evidence from European Countries

Viktoria Szenkurök , Vienna University of Economics and Business
Daniela Weber, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)

This study examines the association between digital inclusion and gender differences in episodic memory — adopting an intersectional perspective that considers gender inequality across different levels of urbanization. Using panel data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (2013–2022), we provide new insights into previously inconclusive literature. Our findings suggest that, once common time trends are accounted for, the beneficial effect of internet use on episodic memory — and thus on cognitive functioning — no longer differs significantly by gender. Over time, women appear to catch up, with the initially observed disadvantage gradually diminishing. However, gender does interact with urbanization level: internet use (used as a proxy for digital inclusion) exhibits a substantially stronger and highly statistically significant protective effect on cognitive functioning for urban men. Conversely, urban women were found to gain comparatively less cognitive benefit from internet use. By highlighting the exacerbating role of urbanization, our results underscore the importance of digital access and usage for both older women and men in preventing cognitive decline and supporting social participation and inclusion.

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 Presented in Session 73. Cognitive Aeging, Dementia and Life Course Determinants of Cognitive Health