Upward Mobility

Extracted Attributes

• Definition

  The movement of individuals or groups to a higher social, economic, or occupational status within a society.

• Importance

  Crucial aspect of the American Dream, symbolizes potential for financial success and social standing, indicates a healthy economy, fosters equality, motivation, and hope, important for employee retention and career development in HR.

• Key Markers/Factors

  Education, class, income, wealth, occupation, job advancement, access to better healthcare.

• First Documented Use

  1949

• Dimensions (Urban Institute)

  Dignity and Belonging, Economic Success, Power and Autonomy.

Timeline

• The term 'upward mobility' is first documented. (Source: Merriam-Webster)

  1949-XX-XX

• A spirited debate occurred between Jason Calacanis and David Friedberg on the All-In Podcast regarding the reform of Accredited Investor Rules as a potential pathway to greater upward mobility. (Source: All-In Podcast (d91523b3-5ae3-4570-85fa-18e95963d97e))

  Recent

Social mobility

Social mobility is the movement of individuals, families, households or other categories of people within or between social strata in a society. It is a change in social status relative to one's current social location within a given society. This movement occurs between layers or tiers in an open system of social stratification. Open stratification systems are those in which at least some value is given to achieved status characteristics in a society. The movement can be in a downward or upward direction. Markers for social mobility such as education and class, are used to predict, discuss and learn more about an individual or a group's mobility in society.

Web Search Results

• What is Upward Mobility? Key Factors that Influence them

  Upward mobility refers to the ability of an individual or family to improve their economic status, typically measured by income, wealth, or occupation. It is a crucial aspect of the American Dream, symbolizing the potential for anyone, regardless of their starting point in life, to achieve greater financial success and social standing through hard work and determination. Upward mobility is not just about financial gain but also encompasses access to better education, health care, and overall [...] Unequal access to quality education and the changing nature of the job market create significant challenges for individuals seeking upward mobility. Upward mobility refers to the ability of individuals to improve their economic and social status through effort and opportunities. It is a crucial aspect of a thriving society, as it fosters equality, motivation, and hope for a better future. [...] ### What is upward mobility in sociology? Upward mobility in sociology refers to the movement of individuals or groups to a higher social, economic, or occupational status within a society. It is a key indicator of social progress and equality. ### How can one achieve upward mobility in a job?

• What Is Upward Mobility? - BambooHR

  # Upward Mobility ## What Is Upward Mobility? Upward mobility measures the frequency a person changes their socioeconomic status. A high rate of upward mobility indicates a healthy economy, and one of the key factors that drives this economic advancement is job advancement. ## What Is Upward Mobility in HR? In HR, upward mobility refers to the rate at which employees advance into new roles, additional opportunities, and better compensation. This advancement may involve: [...] ## Why Is Upward Mobility Important in a Job? The top reason people quit their jobs is lack of career development. As industries grow, organizations must work harder to attract and retain top talent. Offering skill growth and development, increased opportunity, and upward mobility can help employers achieve their retention goals. [...] Recognizing the value of all skills helps employees feel they can advance without being forced into leadership roles (where they might inflict their underdeveloped leadership skills on other employees). Instead of leaving compensation to individual negotiation, organizations can establish salary ranges: compensation categories that provide a benchmark for fairness across the organization and indicate pathways for upward mobility.

• What is upward mobility? - Remote

  # What is upward mobility? Payroll Upward mobility is the ability of people to improve their socioeconomic conditions. In a society, a positive rate of upward mobility is a sign of a healthy economy where people can use their education and skills to access better jobs with higher pay, better living conditions, and higher social standing. [...] Upward mobility or professional growth is an important issue in human resources, although it takes on a slightly different meaning in an HR context. Instead of referring explicitly to a person's ability to ascend social ranks in terms of economic and educational status, upward mobility refers to their ability to advance professionally within a given workplace. [...] In simple terms, high rates of upward mobility suggest the "ease" with which a person can access educational and professional opportunities that lead to higher incomes and improved living conditions. Several factors can influence a person's potential for upward mobility, alternately known as "social mobility" and "professional growth." Some of them are identical to the attributes that indicate upward mobility, such as:

• Upward Mobility Framework | Urban Institute

  ## 1.Three-Part Definition of Upward Mobility 1. Upward mobility for people and communities is the ultimate goal of the framework. We define upward mobility as having three interconnected dimensions. Three-part definition of upward mobility: dignity and belonging, economic success, and power and autonomy. Dignity & Belonging graphic [...] Urban Logo Dots # Upward Mobility Framework The Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Framework provides an evidence-based foundation for efforts to advance upward mobility and racial equity for people and communities. It offers local leaders a holistic definition of upward mobility and identifies factors they can influence to increase mobility for all people, especially those historically excluded from prosperity. [...] The framework includes a three-part definition of economic and social mobility, a focus on racial equity, five pillars of support people need from their communities, and 24 predictors of the strength of these pillars that communities can influence to help more residents reach long-term prosperity. Upward Mobility Framework infographic The following sections explain the Upward Mobility Framework’s components and how local leaders can apply them to advance upward mobility and racial equity.

• UPWARD MOBILITY Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

  link icon link icon link icon Definition Definition # upward mobility ## noun ## Examples of upward mobility in a Sentence ## Word History 1949, in the meaning defined above ## Rhymes for upward mobility ## Browse Nearby Words ## Cite this Entry “Upward mobility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Accessed 25 Jul. 2025. ## Share ## More from Merriam-Webster on upward mobility Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about upward mobility [...] Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word. Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points. Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing? anagrams on a chalk board Learn a new word every day. Delivered to your inbox! [...] Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! ## More from Merriam-Webster Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word. ### Can you solve 4 words at once? ### Can you solve 4 words at once? #### Word of the Day #### sui generis Listen to the pronunciation of sui generis See Definitions and Examples » Get Word of the Day daily email!