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The Good Life? The Relationship between Social Mobility and Happiness

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	The Good Life? The Relationship between Social Mobility and Happiness
Language:	English
Authors:	Kevin Latham, Esme Lillywhite, Sutton Trust (United Kingdom)
Source:	Sutton Trust. 2026.
Availability:	Sutton Trust. 9th Floor Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London SW1P 4QP. Tel: +44-20-7802-1660; E-mail: info@suttontrust.com; Web site: http://www.suttontrust.com/
Peer Reviewed:	N
Page Count:	93
Publication Date:	2026
Document Type:	Reports - Research
Descriptors:	Social Mobility, Psychological Patterns, Socioeconomic Status, Well Being, Educational Attainment, Occupations, Sense of Belonging, Community, Foreign Countries, Aspiration, Quality of Life
Geographic Terms:	United Kingdom
Abstract:	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. [Funding for this report was provided by the Co-operative Group.]
Abstractor:	As Provided
Entry Date:	2026
Access URL:	https://www.suttontrust.com/our-research/the-good-life/
Accession Number:	ED681208
Database:	ERIC

Description
Abstract:	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. [Funding for this report was provided by the Co-operative Group.]