Economic mobility measures the relationship between a parent and child’s economic outcomes, usually in terms of income. Too often, an individual’s economic outcome in the United States is determined by parental resources, race, and privilege, rather than individual effort and talent. In addition, rising economic inequality over the past several decades means that the consequences of stalled or falling economic mobility have gotten worse. Equitable Growth seeks to understand how today’s inequalities could be foreclosing equality of opportunity for future generations.
Featured work
Equitable Growth hosts Econ 101 virtual event on how U.S. social insurance programs boost economic mobility
December 1, 2025
December 1, 2025
Factsheet: U.S. economic mobility and policies to increase upward mobility
June 17, 2025
June 17, 2025
Changing Opportunity: Sociological Mechanisms Underlying Growing Class Gaps and Shrinking Race Gaps in Economic Mobility
October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025
Race and the lack of intergenerational economic mobility in the United States
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February 18, 2020
Explore Content in Economic Mobility422
Extensive nonstandard work hours among U.S. low-income mothers hinder their kids’ enrollment in center-based childcare
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The implications of U.S. gender and racial disparities in income and wealth inequality at each stage of the innovation process
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Low intergenerational mobility in the United States shows impact of race and public policy
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We can cut child poverty in the United States in half in 10 years
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Paid family and medical leave in the United States: A data agenda for practitioners
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Building a competitive, talent-driven future for U.S. manufacturing requires investing in our nation’s high-tech advantage
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