Report

The good life?

This report from UK think tank the Sutton Trust explores the relationship between social mobility and happiness.

Is social mobility just about jobs and income? Does being upwardly mobile make you happy? Does socio-economic background determine who gets to live good, healthy and happy lives? This report examines the connection between happiness, wellbeing, life satisfaction, and social mobility, and how this relationship is affected by education, geographical mobility and age. It draws on an analysis of household survey data from the UK Household Longitudinal Survey, new nationally representative polling, as well as case study interviews.

In this report we show that people’s happiness is closely related to their socioeconomic status and social mobility trajectory. Those who are born into more privileged families and maintain that status show the greatest wellbeing. However, individuals who are upwardly socially mobile are not far behind and those who remain in more routine occupations are most likely to show low wellbeing. We also found that people with a university degree had greater happiness and that the impact of social mobility on wellbeing increases with age. Those with a strong sense of belonging to their local community also experience much higher wellbeing.

The report acknowledges that social mobility means many things to different people and everyone will find satisfaction in ways that fit their own circumstances. A higher paying job may come with higher stress and poorer work-life balance, for instance, and everyone makes their own trade-offs to suit their situation. However, this report shows that maximising the opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background or where they live, can contribute positively to happiness and wellbeing.