A new report from the Sutton Trust charity has revealed a persistent 'happiness gap' between individuals from different social class backgrounds, even among those who successfully climb the social ladder. The research indicates that working-class people are, on average, less happy than their middle-class counterparts.
Key Findings on Wellbeing
Data analysis from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, covering 15,000 people, showed that 21 per cent of individuals in routine occupations reported low wellbeing, compared to just 11 per cent of those in professional occupations. This gap was observed only among those who remained in the social class they were born into.
Impact of Social Mobility
For individuals who transitioned from a working-class background to a middle-class adulthood, the happiness gap partially closed, with 13.6 per cent experiencing low wellbeing. However, this figure remained higher than for those born into the middle classes who stayed there.
The report suggests this persistent gap may be due to the 'trade-offs' people make to move up the social ladder, such as relocating away from home, overcoming class stereotypes, and facing a tougher work-life balance.
Expert Commentary
Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust, stated: 'Social mobility hugely improves people's lives, but it doesn't always guarantee happiness. Even when people climb the social ladder, their long-term wellbeing is still shaped by where they started. Opportunity and life satisfaction are about far more than just pay, promotions and property. Family and friends, education levels, community ties and work-life balance all play their part.'
Saleha Patel, 36, a pharmaceuticals professional from a working-class background, added: 'I sometimes still get seen as an outsider because those shared interests haven't existed from my childhood, and so there's an element of loneliness. And the further I've moved through my career and through life, the further disconnected I've become from my community that I came from.'
Downward Mobility and Safety Nets
Interestingly, the research found that 'downwardly mobile' people—those born into professional households who end up in routine jobs—are 'protected' against the drop in happiness. Only 16.3 per cent of these individuals reported poor wellbeing, lower than the rate for those born into working-class households.
The report attributes this to a 'safety net' of affluent family members, a 'wider network', and 'cultural capital'. It also noted that some may have actively chosen to eschew high-status career paths, reflecting higher levels of agency. Additionally, growing up in a higher-income household may have a lasting impact, such as better health or less stress in childhood.
The overall happiness gap between classes is likely driven by factors including household income, education, housing, and employment status, according to the report, which was supported by Co-op.
