The association between childhood exposure to local wealth inequality and intergenerational income mobility in the United States.

ABSTRACT: Previous research has documented that income inequality is negatively associated with intergenerational income mobility. Beyond income, wealth is also distributed unequally. However, a lack of comprehensive wealth data has meant that the link between wealth inequality and upward mobility in income remains unclear. This study examines this association using a recently published database of local wealth inequality estimates (GEOWEALTH-US) as well as upward mobility estimates published by Opportunity Insights. Results from linear models estimated by OLS reveal a negative association between childhood exposure to local wealth inequality at the commuting zone level (N = 724) and mobility outcomes later in life. Static simulations show that local wealth inequality is more strongly associated wit

SUBMITTER: Schechtl M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12528454 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature