Middle Class Movement

Column Published in syndication February 04, 2026

Understanding how things are going for families of various earnings levels is an important undertaking, because trends in financial security across the income spectrum have notable implications for public policy and perceptions of the economy. A recent study offers a new perspective and food for thought about the middle class, essentially shifting from a "relative" definition (looking at how families at different income levels are doing compared to each other) to an "absolute" one (focusing on how purchasing power has changed over time).

• Tags:
• earnings,
• middle class