Falling Behind:
demos.org
strappedthebook.com
The Economic Challenges Confronting a New Generation
Tamara Draut, Vice President of Policy and Programs, Demos
Author, Strapped: Why America’s 20- and 30-Somethings Can’t Get Ahead
$43,416Typical
earnings for all men age
25-34 in 1975
Typical earnings for all men age
25-34 in 2005
$35,100
$29,184Typical
earnings for all women age 25-34 in 1975
Typical earnings for all women age 25-34 in 2005
$30,300
$29,600
$41,438
$23,500$26,278
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
$35,000
$40,000
$45,000
$50,000
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Men Women
Median Earnings of Young Workers (25-34 yrs old) with High School Diploma
1975-2005 (2004 dollars)
Source: US Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, March Supplement, 1975-2005.
Median Earnings of Young Workers (25-34 yrs old) with Some College1975-2005 (2004 dollars)
$35,500
$44,958
$28,100$29,789
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
$35,000
$40,000
$45,000
$50,000
197519801985
19901995
200020012002
200320042005
Men Women
Source: US Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, March Supplement, 1975-2005.
$48,400$49,384
$39,500$35,991
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
$35,000
$40,000
$45,000
$50,000
$55,000
197519801985
19901995
200020012002
200320042005
Men Women
Median Earnings of Young Workers (25-34 yrs old)with Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
1975-2005 (2004 dollars)
Source: US Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, March Supplement, 1975-2005.
Declining Job QualityHealth Insurance
Recent High School Grads1979 63%2006 32%
Recent College Grads1979 77%2006 64%
The State of Working America 2008/2009
18 MillionNumber of
Uninsured Young People
(18-34 yrs old)
Declining Job Quality
Pension Coverage
Recent High School Grads1979 36%2006 18%
Recent College Grads1979 51%2006 46%
The State of Working America 2008/2009
Generation Debt Two-thirds of 18-34 year olds have credit card debt
Average debt among low- to middle-income households is just over $8,000
Top reasons for debt: car repairs, job loss and home repairs
45% reported using credit cards in the last year to pay for basic living expenses such as rent, mortgage payments, groceries and utilities
For more information, visit
demos.org
or
strappedthebook.com
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