All articles tagged with #middle class
New Health Foundation data shows middle-class women aged 30–50 are the dominant private-prescription users of weight‑loss injections like Ozempic and Mounjaro, prompting debate over affordability, ethics, and long-term health effects as researchers highlight side effects and a growing class divide in obesity treatment.
A New York Times/Siena poll of 1,625 registered voters (Jan 12–17, 2026) finds broad economic anxiety and a widespread view that a middle-class lifestyle is out of reach, driven by rising housing, education, health care and retirement costs; while most can cover basics, majorities worry about affordability, with two-thirds saying a middle-class life is out of reach and 77% saying it’s harder to achieve than a generation ago, though sentiment is slightly improved from a year ago and older voters feel less strain.
December’s CPI rose 0.3%, pushing the yearly inflation rate to 2.7% and underscoring ongoing pressure on middle‑income households. Food prices continued to climb—food at home up 2.4% and food at restaurants up 4.1% year over year, with a 0.7% monthly gain in both—while energy costs remained a drag: electricity up 6.7% and utilities 10.8% year over year (gasoline fell about 3.4% over 12 months). Primerica data show 69% of middle‑income Americans feel their income is falling behind the cost of living, up from 50% in 2020, highlighting persistent budget strain even as some goods prices cooled.”,
The article discusses how rising prices at Disney theme parks have made it increasingly difficult for middle-income Americans to afford visits, shifting the company's focus towards wealthier guests and potentially reducing shared cultural experiences among Americans.
New research reveals that the average worker in the UK would need 52 years of saving all earnings to move from middle class to wealthy, highlighting significant wealth gaps and low mobility, while in the US, it would take nearly 70 years of full-time work to reach the American Dream, emphasizing the growing challenge of wealth accumulation amid rising costs and economic disparities.
The US economy appears resilient due to high-income households driving growth, while middle and lower-income groups are pulling back on spending amid rising costs and layoffs, creating a fragile 'Jenga tower' scenario that increases recession risks.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a €1.6 billion tax reform aimed at boosting the middle class, including tax cuts for families with children and benefits for pensioners, funded by Greece's strong budget performance and efforts against tax evasion.
The article explains the five wealth classes in America based on net worth, highlighting the income and asset thresholds for each, and discusses how rising costs and asset composition influence perceptions of wealth and lifestyle, emphasizing that wealth is more than just income and varies greatly depending on individual circumstances and location.
The article discusses the importance of manufacturing to the US economy, the political focus on revitalizing it, and explores why manufacturing jobs are valued and yet difficult to fill, highlighting their potential role in rebuilding the middle class and economic disparities.
The article promotes President Trump's proposed 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' claiming it will significantly boost the economy by increasing middle-class wages, making tax cuts permanent, supporting American manufacturing, and preventing a large tax hike, thereby fostering economic growth without fueling inflation.
The article highlights five non-luxury cars that offer middle-class buyers a taste of luxury without the high price tag. These vehicles, including the Kia K5, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mazda 3, Ford Mustang, and Acura Integra, are priced under $35,000 but provide features and performance that make them feel more expensive. Each car is praised for its design, performance, and value, allowing average earners to enjoy a luxurious driving experience.
Once a reliable path to wealth, China's real estate market is now causing financial distress for many, particularly the middle class, due to a prolonged slump. With 70% of family assets tied to property, declining house prices are eroding wealth and consumer confidence, further slowing the economy. Despite piecemeal government measures, the property sector remains in crisis, with many apartments unsold or unfinished, and public sentiment shifting towards concerns over inequality and systemic issues.
A survey by Southwestern University of Finance and Economics reveals that China's middle class remains cautious about spending, particularly on property, with future spending expectations lower than during the early Covid-19 pandemic. Despite a 5.3% GDP growth in Q1 2024, discretionary spending and real estate investments have declined, reflecting broader economic pressures and uncertainties.
Cate Blanchett, a highly successful Hollywood actress, claimed to be "middle class" during a discussion at Cannes, sparking criticism for her tone-deaf comments given her substantial net worth and long-standing fame.
A study by GoBankingRates reveals that the income needed to be considered middle class in Alabama is $39,739, significantly lower than the national average. The upper limit for middle class income in Alabama is $119,218. Over the past decade, the income required to qualify as middle class in Alabama has increased by 38.1%, which is below the national average increase of 41.7%.