New report reveals social mobility is flatlining across wealthier countries

The Degrees of Difference report, led by Professor Rachel Brooks at the Department of Education and published by the Sutton Trust, found that while more disadvantaged students are gaining degrees, the connection between higher education and higher earnings has weakened for those from less-advantaged backgrounds.

Across 20 OECD countries, students whose parents did not attend university remain 45% less likely to reach the top earnings quintile than those with graduate parents.

Professor Brooks, Professor of Higher Education, said: “Our research shows how, across many countries, despite a lot of policy activity, higher education has not led to widespread increases in social mobility. While, for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, higher education does lead to improved outcomes relative to non-graduate peers, family background continues to exert significant influence.

“In light of this challenge, our report proposes a series of recommendations for government and other policy actors working in this area.”

In the UK and US, university is still the dominant route to higher earnings from less advantaged backgrounds. In other countries, such as Canada and some continental European systems, vocational education, apprenticeships, technical qualifications, and lifelong learning make a significant contribution to social mobility and equity.

The UK and US could therefore do more to promote alternative pathways to higher education, as well as ensuring that access to the most selective universities is widened further.

This research was funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Its key findings will be discussed at an international Higher Education Summit in London on Wednesday 19 November.

The research team, led by Professor Brooks, included Dr Benjamin Hart, Dr Golo Henseke, Dr David Mills, Dr James Robson and Dr Xin Xu.

Read the full report.