:

Does reading speed decline with age? The cognitive and visual factors explained

Multiple studies show that most people experience a decline in reading speed as they get older, with some research indicating the slowdown can begin as early as middle age. While a person's knowledge and vocabulary, known as 'crystallized intelligence,' typically remain strong, a decline in 'fluid intelligence'—which includes processing speed and working memory—is a key factor contributing to why a person's reading speed declines with age.