Inequalities in the Risk of Multidimensional Downward Mobility From the Most Advantaged Backgrounds

Relatively little research has explored socio-demographic inequalities in downward mobility from advantaged backgrounds, with such work focusing solely on class or income. This neglects the multi-dimensional nature of social position and particularly overlooks the importance of social status as a reward obtained via occupation. In this study, I use detailed data from a large, representative UK sample to examine inequalities in multidimensional destinations among workers from the most advantaged class and status backgrounds. I find evidence of significant socio-demographic inequalities both in the overall risk of downward mobility and in the pattern of class versus status mobility. Notably, women from privileged families have a higher risk of downward mobility than men, but this difference is driven exclusively by class, rather than status mobility. Black workers have a higher risk of downward mobility than White workers in both class and status terms, while those of Indian ethnicity are at lower risk, particularly of downward class mobility. The study’s findings have important implications for social mobility research and policy – with specific patterns of multidimensional mobility potentially requiring different explanations (and therefore policy interventions) than the patterns revealed by previous unidimensional analyses.