Shaping a society that gives everyone a fair chance
The Social Mobility Commission exists to help create a country where the circumstances of someone’s birth do not determine their outcomes in life.
Who's getting ahead?
State of the Nation is the UK’s most comprehensive analysis of social mobility.
The 2026 report reveals a “mixed picture” of progress and setbacks. By incorporating five decades of ONS census data, this year’s edition tracks adult outcomes with their parents’ socio-economic backgrounds, allowing us to evaluate long-term trends in education, employment, housing, and wages.
Latest
see all-
‘Mixed picture’ for social mobility as Brits climb career ladder yet can’t afford a home
Commission releases annual analysis of life chances in the UK Finding education and occupational mobility improving but worsening outlooks for youth employment and chance of owning a home Life progress… read more
Topics
Slide 1/6 -
New data tool equips businesses and local leaders to tackle regional social mobility barriers
New tool helps understand the barriers to business entry, dynamism, and innovation across different parts of the UK. The Local Innovation and Economic Dynamism index equips policymakers and local leaders… read more
Topics
Slide 2/6 -
Do postcodes drive privilege?
There is frequent discussion of how your socio-economic background, parent’s occupation and school determine your academic achievements, job prospects and future income. But what happens when you keep climbing the… read more
Topics
Slide 3/6 -
Conversations with NEETs: Research reveals daily lives and struggles of young people in Blackpool
Social Mobility Commission lifts the lid on the reality for young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) in Blackpool Report recommendations co-created with young people, not for them… read more
Topics
Slide 4/6 -
Young and NEET in Blackpool: upcoming research on their realities
Next week, the Social Mobility Commission will be releasing our in-depth research into the daily lives and experiences of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) in Blackpool…. read more
Topics
Slide 5/6 -
Meet the finalists in the first AI and Social Mobility Challenge Prize
Eight ventures have been announced as finalists in the inaugural AI and Social Mobility Challenge Prize, a new programme exploring how AI and emerging technology can widen access to opportunity… read more
Topics
Slide 6/6
Latest resources
The Social Mobility Commission publishes a wide variety of research and reports aimed at promoting social mobility in the UK All resources
-
State of the Nation 2026: Who’s getting ahead?
State of the Nation is the most comprehensive analysis of social mobility in the UK. The 2026 report finds a mixed picture of progress and setbacks in different areas of… read more
Topics
Slide 1/6 -
The role of employers and workplace practices in social mobility
It is important to everyone that employers, when they are recruiting into their business, or supporting employees to develop their careers, choose the best candidates, irrespective of their socio-economic background…. read more
Topics
Slide 2/6 -
Understanding the experiences of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) in Blackpool
There has rightly been significant attention given to the nearly one million young people (aged 16 – 24) who are currently NEET, however there has been little work that speaks… read more
Topics
Slide 3/6 -
Who gets in? University benchmarks for social mobility
While academic attainment plays a fundamental role in access to higher education, even when comparing university student intakes to those who have already met the entry requirements, socio-economic representation still… read more
Topics
Slide 4/6 -
The Role of Families in the Educational Outcomes of Children and Young People
Success is not only shaped in the classroom – but families play a central role in their children’s attainment. Academics Dr Laura Outhwaite and Professor Claire Crawford from the UCL… read more
Topics
Slide 5/6 -
Stepping stone or stumbling block: Rethinking level 2 English and maths pathways
Holding strong GCSE English and maths opens doors for vocational and academic training progression, better job prospects and higher earnings and life satisfaction. However the attainment gap between different socio-economic… read more
Topics
Slide 6/6
What is social mobility?
Social mobility is the link between a person’s occupation or income and the occupation or income of their parents. Where there is a strong link, there is a lower level of social mobility. Where there is a weak link, there is a higher level of social mobility.
