Inequalities in the risk of downward mobility from advantaged backgrounds: A multidimensional investigation

Downward mobility is an essential component of a socially fluid society. However, relatively little research has examined inequalities in downward mobility from advantaged backgrounds. In this population, do socio-demographic inequalities in occupational destinations mirror those in society at large? Or are those from the most privileged backgrounds largely insulated from the mechanisms which produce such inequalities?

In the present study, I use highly detailed data from a representative UK sample to investigate inequalities in the occupational destinations of workers from the most advantaged backgrounds. I take a unique multidimensional approach which accounts for origins and destinations in term of both social class and social status.

I find that significant socio-demographic inequalities do in fact persist among those from the most advantaged backgrounds. Notably, I find that women from advantaged families are more likely to be downwardly mobile than men, but that this is driven exclusively by their class, rather than status destinations. I also find that Black workers are at significantly higher risk of downward mobility than White workers from similar backgrounds, while those of Indian ethnicity are at significantly lower risk. Results on other risk factors are also presented, including parenthood, immigration status, and educational characteristics among graduates.

The study’s findings have several important implications: including for our understanding of the gendered career trajectories of those from advantaged backgrounds, and for the potential intergenerational fragility of socio-economic gains made by disadvantaged groups