Pew’s Economic Mobility Project focuses public attention on the ability to move up or down the economic ladder within a lifetime or from one generation to the next. By forging broad, nonpartisan agreement on the facts and drivers of mobility, the project fosters policy debate and action on how best to improve economic opportunity and ensure that the American Dream is kept alive for future generations.
Why Economic Mobility Matters
For more than two centuries, economic opportunity and upward mobility have formed the foundation of the American Dream, and they remain at the core of our nation's identity. As policy makers seek to foster equality of opportunity, it’s critical that their decisions be informed by a robust and nonpartisan fact base on economic mobility.
Factors that Help or Hinder Economic Mobility
Economic mobility is influenced by a variety of factors including education, neighborhoods, savings, and family structure. Pew also strives to understand differences in mobility by income, race, and gender.
How We Conduct Our Work
Pew conducts research on economic mobility to inform policy makers and the public debate. We look at questions such as: How do children's opportunities to achieve the American Dream compare to those of their parents? To what extent is mobility affected by wealth, gender, race, and education? How do people’s mobility prospects differ depending on where they live?
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The LATEST from the Project
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- Media Coverage
- Economic Mobility Project
The Economist: Like Father, Not Like Son
In Horatio Alger's famous story, “Ragged Dick”, a plucky boot shiner improves his lot through hard work, honesty and learning his “three Rs” (reading, ’riting and ’rithmetic). The marks of his success are a suit, an office job and a new name, “Richard Hunter, Esq”. more
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October 3, 2012
Pew Research Relevant to Tonight’s Debate
The first presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney will be held tonight in Denver and will focus on domestic policy. Pew provides a variety of resources on topics that may be addressed during the debate, including federal spending, economic mobility, unemployment, and U.S. voter participation. more
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- Media Coverage
- Economic Mobility Project
Horatio Alger, RIP
There is also growing—though still nascent—evidence that from one American generation to the next, mobility is declining. more
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- Media Coverage
- Economic Mobility Project
Occupy Wall Street Movement Has Faded, But the Frustration Lives On
Today's half-hearted demonstrations marking the birthday of the Occupy Wall Street movement served as a reminder that catchy slogans and funny hats do not add up to a political movement. more
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- Media Coverage
- Economic Mobility Project
Study: Baby Boomers Are Not Stealing Younger Workers' Jobs
Baby Boomers are ruining it for everyone else, taking up all of the jobs and making life tougher for younger workers.
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- Issue Brief
- Economic Mobility Project
When Baby Boomers Delay Retirement, Do Younger Workers Suffer?
The notion that younger and older workers are engaged in a zero-sum game for a fixed number of jobs is called the “lump-of-labor” theory. This issue brief explores whether this theory has held true, and presents a series of key findings.
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- Media Coverage
- Economic Mobility Project
America Losing Sight of the Future
A recent analysis by the Pew Charitable Trusts concluded that “Americans raised at the top and bottom of the income ladder are likely to remain there themselves as adults.” The study found that two-thirds of Americans end up in the exact same quintile of the income distribution as their parents, or below it. more
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- Media Coverage
- Economic Mobility Project
Once Upon a Time in America: Rags to Riches Gone
Once upon a time in America, it was expected that most children would surpass their parents on the income ladder. However, a new study released by The Pew Charitable Trusts has found that although most Americans are earning a bit more than their parents, only a meager one-third of the current generation will surpass their parents in wealth and income and climb to a new rung on the economic ladder.
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- Project Update
- Economic Mobility Project
Supporting the American Dream through Economic Mobility
As both Republicans and Democrats plan their conventions and their policy platforms, the strength of the American Dream is of even greater concern than usual. Pew’s work on economic mobility is of particular relevance to these discussions.
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- Media Coverage
- Economic Mobility Project
Washington Post: Five Myths About the Middle Class
Both President Obama and Mitt Romney say they’ll support it. Many Americans say they’re in it. And virtually everyone says something must be done to help it. It’s the American middle class, and it’s the biggest talking point of the 2012 election—and one of the most misunderstood.more
