Education and Social Mobility in Emerging Economies: A Review of Barriers and Opportunities

Education is widely regarded as a key driver of social mobility, particularly in emerging economies where rapid development presents both challenges and opportunities for reducing inequality. This paper systematically reviews recent literature to examine the barriers that limit education’s role in facilitating upward mobility, as well as the enabling factors that support more equitable outcomes. Findings reveal that economic hardship, structural deficiencies in public education systems, and persistent social stratification significantly constrain the potential of education to transform life trajectories. At the same time, targeted government interventions, expanding access to higher education, community support networks, and emerging technologies show promise in mitigating these constraints. The review highlights the importance of integrated, multisectoral strategies that go beyond individual effort to address the structural determinants of educational inequality. It concludes that while education can serve as a vehicle for mobility, its effectiveness depends on systemic reforms that align policy, resources, and opportunity across social and institutional domains.