The Pew Research Center has published a very interesting analysis of the evolution of social classes in Western Europe and the US from 1991 to 2010. Here are a few infographics to summarise the findings.
1) The middle class expands in France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, but shrinks in the United States, Finland, Germany, Italy and Spain. It is stable in Scandinavia.
2) Household income rose faster in most of Europe than in the USA in that 20-year period. There were some exceptions. Income was stable in Germany, Finland and Spain, and decreased considerably in Italy (passing from the level of Germany to that of Spain).
3) Nordic countries and the Netherlands have the largest middle class, but France (and supposedly Belgium, which isn't part of the survey) is close behind.
4) How much must one earn annually in average to be considered lower, middle or upper class?
5) Are people getting richer or poorer in each country?
6) How much have average household incomes actually changed from 1991 to 2010?
1) The middle class expands in France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, but shrinks in the United States, Finland, Germany, Italy and Spain. It is stable in Scandinavia.
2) Household income rose faster in most of Europe than in the USA in that 20-year period. There were some exceptions. Income was stable in Germany, Finland and Spain, and decreased considerably in Italy (passing from the level of Germany to that of Spain).
3) Nordic countries and the Netherlands have the largest middle class, but France (and supposedly Belgium, which isn't part of the survey) is close behind.
4) How much must one earn annually in average to be considered lower, middle or upper class?
5) Are people getting richer or poorer in each country?
6) How much have average household incomes actually changed from 1991 to 2010?