2015-12-08-皮尤-The_American_Middle_Class_Is_Losing_Ground_74页_1mb

The American middle class has undergone significant changes over the past four decades. In the early 2015 report, the proportion of adults living in middle-income households decreased from 61% in 1971 to 50%. Conversely, the share of adults in high-income households increased from 14% to 21%, while those in low-income households rose from 25% to 29%.

Economically, the overall performance gaps among the three income groups widened steadily since 1971, despite growth in aggregate household income. However, gains were most substantial in the high-income segment. Specifically, the share of total household income earned by high-income households surged from 29% in 1970 to 49% in 2014.

From 1971 to 2015, demographic group-specific trends in income status varied. Notable winners included elderly people, married individuals, and black adults, while losers clustered among younger people, unmarried individuals, and those with lower educational attainment.

Wealth disparities also widened significantly, with high-income households amassing seven times the median wealth of middle-income households by 2013, a substantial increase from three times in 1983.

Income disparities appear driven by various factors, including education levels, occupations, and industrial influences. Growth in highly skilled professions, such as executives, professionals, and medical roles, occurred alongside declines in sectors like mechanics, auto repair, and transportation jobs.

The middle-income population reflected U.S. demographic shifts, with aging, increasing racial/ethnic diversity, declining marriage rates, and rising educational attainment. However, similar demographic trends are expected to intensify in the coming years.

While the infrastructure of the middle class remains significant, the income gaps suggest a potential structural decline, impacting the definition and economic standing of the American middle class.