The State of Working America, an ongoing analysis published since 1988 by the Economic Policy Institute, includes a wide variety of data on family incomes, wages, jobs, unemployment, wealth, and poverty that allow for a clear, unbiased understanding of the economy’s effect on the living standards of working Americans.
Up-to-date numbers on the economy, updated when new data is released.
Updated January 27, 2012: GDP »
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Interactive feature
When income grows, who gains?
Chart the growth in U.S. household income since 1917—and see how the growth has been shared between the Top 10% and the Bottom 90% of Americans.
- Between 1948 and 1979 the richest 10% accounted for a third of average income growth – matching their share in 1948 and keeping the income distribution stable for these three decades.
- Between 1979 and 2007 the richest 10% accounted for a full 91% of average income growth.
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The Great Recession
Officially ended in 2009, but workers will struggle for years to come
A historical context for the damage done and the long aftermath ahead.
- Single largest increase in the unemployment rate since 1948
- Unemployment stubbornly high many months into the official recovery
- Median family incomes lower in 2009 than they have been since 1997
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The Economic Landscape
Economic outcomes began changing radically in the 1970s, but why?
- The policy commitment to low unemployment rates was traded for one of low inflation rates
- The U.S. and a much poorer global economy became more tightly integrated
- Key labor market institutions (minimum wage, right to organize unions) have been undermined.
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Inequality
Economy already failing most families for decades before Great Recession
Stratospheric gains at top pull overall averages up, but leave low- and moderate-income families struggling.
- Between 1979 and 2007, the richest 10% of families claimed almost two-thirds of all income growth
- More-equitable growth would have gained median families $9,000 in annual income
- Poverty could have been eradicated by the mid-1980s
