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This movie is based on a true story, this film follows a struggling father trying to build a better life for his son while facing homelessness, unemployment, and systemic challenges. As a single parent myself, this story resonates deeply. It highlights the emotional toll of economic insecurity and how hard parents fight to keep their children safe and hopeful. This film reveals how poverty isn’t just money, it’s about opportunity, mental load, and resilience!! It reflects the myth of meritocracy and shows how unequal access to support keeps families in survival mode.

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This Korean film highlights the sharp divide between a wealthy family and a struggling working class family who infiltrate their home under false pretenses. I watched this movie years ago and it’s one I can watch over and over again. I chose it because its dark humor and suspenseful storytelling made the gap between rich and poor feel personal, even terrifying. The contrast of survival and luxury really hit home for me as someone who witnesses this kind of disparity daily. This movie powerfully critiques capitalism, social mobility, and how economic inequality fosters desperation. It illustrates how invisible class lines can become violently exposed when systems fail everyone but the wealthy.

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Parasite [Official Trailer] – In Theaters October 11, 2019

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This is an amazing British film that follows a gig economy delivery driver and his family as they struggle with debt, long hours, and the collapse of work life balance. this film mirrors the reality of many of the families i serve, who work multiple jobs but still cant get ahead. It exposes how "flexible" gig work often means insecurity and burnout. The film critiques labor systems that favor corporate profit over worker stability, showing how modern capitalism often exploits the working class under the illusion of freedom.

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SORRY WE MISSED YOU - Official Trailer [HD]

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This is another one of my favorite films. When Dr. Nandi played the video of the kids growing up down south in the hotel it reminded me of this film. This is a film about a single mother and her daughter living in a motel near Disney World, it captures the innocence of childhood amidst poverty. This film hits home, it’s about being broke, invisible, and still trying to give your kids joy. It’s raw and real in the way it shows the emotional side of poverty.

The film uncovers hidden homelessness, the stigma around poverty, and how social services struggle to support vulnerable families. It’s a quiet but powerful indictment of wealth and inequality.

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The Florida Project | Official Trailer HD | A24

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This film is about a British carpenter fights the welfare system after a heart attack leaves him unable to work, but still unqualified for disability benefits.

This film reminded me of how many families I’ve met through the program I work for who are denied help for technicalities. It made me angry but also seen. The film critiques bureaucratic cruelty and highlights the failings of social safety nets. It shows how inequality isn’t just financial it’s institutional.

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I, DANIEL BLAKE  - OFFICIAL UK TRAILER [HD]

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This video uses powerful graphics to show the massive gap between what Americans think wealth distribution looks like versus the harsh reality. The richest one 1% control nearly half of the countries wealth while the bottom 80% share a tiny sliver. It reveals how the middle class is shrinking and the poor are getting poorer. As a single working mom, I’ve felt the squeeze of this inequality working full-time and still not qualifying for help reminds me that the system isn’t set up for families like mine to succeed.

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NBC News investigates health inflation, disproportionately affects low income families widening the wealth gap. It reflects the real time struggles of affording, essentials, on a limited income. This highlights, the economic pressures that single income households face day in and day out.

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Examining Income Inequality In The U.S. Amid Rising Prices Due To Inflation

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This educational video explains how poverty levels are measured in the US using income, thresholds and census data. It outlines who qualifies for government assistance, and how income is tracked across different groups. What stood out to me was how many families fall just above the poverty line, but still can’t make ends meet. I’m one of those families, I make slightly too much to qualify for most aid, but not enough to live comfortably

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Introduction to Income and Poverty in the United States

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This video presents findings from a Pew Research Center study on American perceptions of economic inequality. It reveals that many Americans acknowledge the growing wealth gap and express concern over its implications. This video discusses public opinions on the causes of inequality and potential solutions. Understanding these perspectives is crucial as they reflect the societal attitudes that influence policy decisions affecting families like mine.

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How do Americans view economic inequality?

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This video profiles profiles a 23 year old single mother from Reading , Pennsylvania who struggles to find stable employment to support her family. Despite her efforts, she faces significant challenges in maintaining housing and providing for her children. Her story highlights this systemic barriers that single mother’s often encounter, including limited job opportunities and inadequate, social support. This resonates with my own experiences of juggling multiple responsibilities while striving to create a better life for my children.

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This documentary explores the lives of working class Americans who are deemed essential yet often lack financial security. It delves into the challenges they face, including low wages, inadequate healthcare, and job instability. The film sheds light on the paradox of being essential yet economically vulnerable. This narrative resonates with my experience as a working mother striving to provide for my family amidst systemic economic challenges.

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Essential -- A Documentary about America's Working Class and the Challenge of Income Inequality

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This video breaks down why income inequality continues to grow, including wage stagnation and tax breaks for the wealthy. It explains how policies over the past few decades have benefited the rich while hurting every day workers. As an educator for the program I work for, I see families being left behind despite their hard work, it shows how the system favors the privileged while people like me live paycheck to paycheck, as well as the families that I work for.

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A Look At Income Inequality In The United States | TIME

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This report highlights that a significant percentage of single mothers in the U.S live below the poverty line. It discusses the factor contributing to this statistic, including wage disparities and lack of access to affordable childcare. The video emphasizes the need for policy changes to address these systemic issues. As a single mother these statistics reflect the reality I face daily, underscoring the urgency for societal support and reform.

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This news segment follows two single mothers who face homelessness and employment challenges, while raising their children. One mother, despite working as a male carrier struggles to secure stable housing for her five daughters. The other balance’s multiple jobs while caring for her children highlighting the difficulties in assessing affordable childcare. Their experiences underscore the systemic issues that many single mother’s face reflecting the daily struggles I witness in my community.

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Single moms struggle with housing, childcare, employment in pandemic

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This 1986 CBS news special report explores changes in African-American family structures, focusing on the rise of single motherhood. It includes interview, interviews with unwell, black mothers, and discussions on social welfare programs highlighting the dynamics and challenges within these families. The program provides historical context to the ongoing issues, faced by single black mothers understanding this history is crucial in addressing the systemic inequalities that persists today.

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1986 CBS NEWS SPECIAL REPORT The Vanishing Family   Crisis in Black America 1

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This chart illustrates the share of total income held by the top 1% in various countries, showing how a small percentage of people control the majority of wealth. It’s a stark visual that brings home just how skewed the economic system is. It raises questions about fairness, opportunity, and how economic policies continue to benefit the ultra-wealthy. This resonates with me as a full-time working mom barely making it knowing that I can work as hard as possible and still never accumulate real wealth while others have more than they could ever need is infuriating and disheartening.

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From the Infographics community on Reddit: Wealth concentration of Top 1%

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Explore this post and more from the Infographics community

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This historical graph shows how the share of income going to the top 1% has grown dramatically, especially since the 1980s. It illustrates how policy changes and deregulation have helped the wealthy accumulate even more, while the middle and lower classes have seen little improvement. It’s proof that the system isn’t broken it’s working exactly as designed to benefit the few. As someone who's worked multiple jobs and still struggles to qualify for help, I can feel this data in my bones. It makes me wonder how different things would be if wealth were distributed more fairly.

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This graph shows that while worker productivity has skyrocketed, wages have barely budged since the 1970s. That means workers are producing more value but not receiving their fair share of the profits. The growing gap reflects how companies reward shareholders and executives over laborers. I’ve worked consistently for nearly two decades, and yet I’m no closer to financial stability this image captures that injustice perfectly. It makes me feel invisible, like my effort and time don’t matter.

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Infographic: Productivity Soars, Wages Stagnate

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This chart shows the percent growth in U.S. productivity and hourly compensation, 1950-2018.

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This long-term graph tracks the deep and persistent wealth divide between Black and White Americans across more than a century. Despite social progress, Black families still hold a fraction of the wealth that White families do. This shows that economic inequality is deeply tied to systemic racism and historical oppression. As a WIC educator, I see families of color working incredibly hard just to survive this data gives their experience the visibility it deserves. It also strengthens my belief that fixing inequality means addressing race, not just class.

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Department of Economics - Princeton University

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A groundbreaking new study on the Black-white wealth gap in the U.S. shows that progress on closing the gap has all but stalled since the 1950s and inequality is on track to grow moving forward.

The study by Princeton's Ellora Derenoncourt and the University of Bonn's Chi Hyun Kim, Moritz Kuhn, and Moritz Schularick was made possible by a major effort to build an extensive new dataset that includes previously unavailable data on Black wealth from the time immediately after Emancipation until now.

The analysis of this new data not only reveals an alarming portrait of racial wealth disparities that exist to this day, but allows the researchers to examine what factors have led to these persisting inequities. They find Black individuals and white individuals experienced very different rates of increased savings and returns on wealth over the last 150 years. In recent years, large gaps in capital gains earnings between white individuals and Black individuals have been an especially big driver of the gap.

"Current patterns suggest that we have, for the first time in decades, left the convergence path altogether. Today, the Black-white wealth gap is growing, not getting smaller," said Ellora Derenoncourt, Assistant Professor of Economics and Director of Princeton's Program for Research on Inequality.

New data on Black wealth from 1860 to today

Most surveys of wealth with information on racial identity begin in the 1980s. The authors fill in 100 years of missing data on Black wealth by digitizing 50 years of southern state tax returns (from the 1860s to the 1910s) and combining that data with digitized Census data from 1860 and 1870. From there, they use an estimator to extend their data through the mid-19th century, verifying the accuracy of the results by comparing them to available data from the 1930s. Finally, they complete their time-series on Black wealth from the mid-20th century to today by using Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) data.

To aid further study on racial wealth gaps, the authors have made this important new dataset publicly available to other researchers.

The gap was closing-and then it wasn't

Immediately after Emancipation, the white to Black racial wealth gap in the U.S. was nearly 60 to 1. By 1920, it was 10 to 1, and by 1950 it was 7 to 1. Today-more than seventy years later-it remains at 6 to 1.

If Black and white individuals had identical savings and capital gains rates over time-which the research shows they did not-the racial wealth gap today would be about 3 to 1. Simply put, the gap was so large post-Emancipation that even equal earnings and savings rates between Black and white individuals would have resulted in a wealth gap that, though half what it is today, would have Black individuals holding about 30 cents for every $1 held by white individuals.

In order to identify periods of sluggish versus more rapid convergence, the researchers compare how quickly the gap actually closed to how quickly it would have closed if Black and white individuals had equal savings rates.

Despite the progress in racial wealth convergence in the decades after Emancipation, the researchers show that the gap shrunk slower in this period (1870-1930) than would be expected if Black and white Americans had enjoyed equal savings and capital gains. This suggests factors like discrimination and segregation played a role in suppressing possible progress in racial wealth convergence during these critical decades after slavery.

There is only one period where the gap closed more quickly than would be expected under an equal savings rate and capital gains scenario: The period during and just after the civil rights movement, from the 1960s to the 1980s.

"This is a really important observation from the data, because it suggests that the Black activism that led to civil rights legislation, a larger social safety net, and better labor standards may have given an extra boost to Black wealth accumulation," said Derenoncourt.

Since the 1980s, progress on closing the gap has stalled, and the research shows that large differences in wealth-to-income ratios and investment portfolios between Black and white individuals have played a major role.

"For example, Black households hold nearly two thirds of their wealth in housing and very little in equity," the authors write. "While housing wealth has appreciated since 1950, stock equity has appreciated by five times as much. These large price increases in equity markets have led to disproportionate capital gains for the wealthiest Americans, a group that is almost exclusively white."

Policies to address the Black-white wealth gap

The authors write that their findings cast a spotlight on the fact that today's Black-white wealth gap is a direct legacy of slavery and the discriminatory institutions that followed it-and likely wouldn't have entirely closed even with policies that reduced inequities in investment returns and savings among Black and white Americans.

Policies that target unequal returns on wealth or savings rates can help close the racial wealth gap, they say, but it could still take several hundred more years for Black wealth to match white wealth.

"In light of these findings, we conclude that policies that redistribute large stocks of wealth, like reparations, lead to immediate reductions in racial wealth inequality while policies targeting portfolio composition can return us to a convergence path, but one that could take hundreds of years to play out," they write. "Nevertheless, we argue these approaches are complementary, as policies that redistribute stocks of wealth without addressing racial gaps in savings and capital gains have but a transient effect on the wealth gap."

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Wealth of Two Nations: The U.S. Racial Wealth Gap, 1860-2020

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A groundbreaking new study on the Black-white wealth gap in the U.S. shows that progress on closing the gap has all but stalled since the 1950s and inequality is on track to grow moving forward.

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This infographic tracks how much less women earn compared to men in various industries, even when qualifications and experience are the same. The gender wage gap continues to affect women’s lifetime earnings, savings, and retirement options. For single mothers like me, this means living with constant financial pressure and fewer safety nets. Every dollar I don’t earn due to this inequality is a dollar I can’t put toward my kids’ future. This is more than just numbers it’s about fairness and dignity.

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The next logical question in looking at state disparities is: What exactly is causing certain states to have smaller or larger pay gaps? The answer is not so simple. There are a lot of reasons for pay disparities:

Lack of equal access to funding for female-owned businesses

Corporate cultures that tend to promote men or where men are more likely to get raises

Unequal hiring practices

States with cultures that emphasize traditional family work structures

The number of women-owned businesses in a given state

Lack of local legislation that protects women from discriminatory corporate practices

The points mentioned above are only a few of the reasons large pay gaps may persist in certain states and be smaller in others. It's crucial to recognize the corporate, local, and governmental cultures that lead to inequality.

It's only by fixing the gender issues in our local communities that we can have any hope of making a significant dent in the national pay gap.

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The Gender Pay Gap Across the US in 2021 | Business.org

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The next logical question in looking at state disparities is: What exactly is causing certain states to have smaller or larger pay gaps? The answer is not so simple.

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This chart ranks countries based on how unevenly wealth is distributed, with the U.S. near the top of the list. It reveals that extreme inequality isn’t just an American problem it’s a global issue, though more intense in some places. Still, knowing that the U.S. is one of the richest nations in the world but also one of the most unequal feels like a slap in the face. I live in a place full of wealth, but my family struggles every single day. This confirms that something is deeply wrong with how resources are shared.

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This data visualization shows how difficult it is for people born into poverty to climb the income ladder. It emphasizes how much your family background influences your future economic success. For parents like me, it’s heartbreaking to see how limited the options are for our children, even when we push them to succeed. I want to believe in the American Dream that hard work leads to a better life but charts like this make it clear that the system isn’t built for families like mine.

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When it comes to economic mobility, which families are likely to fare better than their parents? We invite you to explore this interactive tool as it reveals the traits of families that experience upward mobility and, conversely, those that find themselves stuck in their positions on—or falling down—the economic ladder.

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This comparison of living costs over time shows how dramatically prices for essentials like housing, food, and healthcare have increased. At the same time, wages haven’t kept up, creating a growing gap between income and expenses. It makes it nearly impossible for working families to stay afloat, let alone get ahead. I’ve lived this my paycheck disappears as soon as I get it, and there’s no room for emergencies or extras. This data validates my everyday reality.

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Comparing the inflated cost of living today from 1938 to 2015

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Comparing the inflated cost of living today from 1938 to 2015 - Articles

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These charts break down how wealth is distributed by age group and race, showing young people and communities of color consistently at the bottom. It illustrates how inequality builds up across generations and is harder to escape the longer it’s in place. As a mother of three, this terrifies me for my kids’ futures. I want to give them a fair shot, but this data shows how much harder it is for them just to reach the starting line.

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Average wealth has increased over the past 50 years, but it has not grown equally for all groups. Between 1963 and 2016,

families near the bottom of the wealth distribution (those at the 10th percentile) went from having no wealth on average to being about $1,000 in debt,

those in the middle more than doubled their wealth,

families near the top (at the 90th percentile) saw their wealth increase fivefold,

and the wealth of those at the 99th percentile-in other words, those wealthier than 99 percent of all families-grew sevenfold.

These changes have increased wealth inequality significantly. In 1963, families near the top had six times the wealth (or, $6 for every $1) of families in the middle. By 2016, they had 12 times the wealth of families in the middle.

Income is money coming into a family, while wealth is a family's assets -things like savings, real estate, businesses-minus debt. Both are important sides of families' financial security, but wealth cushions families against emergencies and gives them the means to move up the economic ladder. Also, wealth disparities are much greater than income disparities: three times as much by one measure.

Income inequality can worsen wealth inequality because the income people have available to save and invest matters. Focusing on private income, such as earnings and dividends, plus cash government benefits, we see that the income of families near the top increased roughly 90 percent from 1963 to 2016, while the income of families at the bottom increased less than 10 percent.

Families of color will soon make up a majority of the population, but most continue to fall behind whites in building wealth. In 1963, the average wealth of white families was $121,000 higher than the average wealth of nonwhite families. By 2016, the average wealth of white families ($919,000) was over $700,000 higher than the average wealth of black families ($140,000) and of Hispanic families ($192,000).

Put another way, white family wealth was seven times greater than black family wealth and five times greater than Hispanic family wealth in 2016. Despite some fluctuations over the past five decades, this disparity is as high or higher than it was in 1963.

White families accumulate more wealth over their lives than black or Hispanic families do, widening the wealth gap at older ages. In their 30s, whites have an average of $147,000 more in wealth than blacks (three times as much). By their 60s, whites have over $1.1 million more in average wealth than blacks (seven times as much).

Median wealth by race is lower. Though the dollar gap grows with age, the ratio doesn't grow in the same way: whites have seven times more median wealth than blacks in their 60s and 70s.

Why is the racial and ethnic wealth gap so big? People with lower earnings may have a harder time saving. The average white man earns $2.7 million over a lifetime, while the average black man earns $1.8 million and the average Hispanic man earns $2.0 million. The difference in lifetime earnings is lower for women: the average white woman earns $1.5 million, while the average black woman earns $1.3 million and the average Hispanic woman earns $1.1 million. These disparities partly reflect historical disadvantages that continue to affect later generations.

Blacks and Hispanics are less likely to own homes, so they more often miss out on this powerful wealth-building tool. Homeownership makes the most of automatic payments-homeowners must make mortgage payments every month-to build equity.

In 1976, 68 percent of white families owned their home, compared with 44 percent of black families and 43 percent of Hispanic families. By 2016, the homeownership gap had narrowed slightly for Hispanics but widened for blacks. Black and Hispanic families were also less likely to own homes than white families with similar incomes.

In 2016, white families had about $130,000 more (or six times more) in average liquid retirement savings than black and Hispanic families. In sheer dollar terms, this disparity has increased more than fivefold over the past quarter-century: in 1989, white families had about $25,000 more (or five times more) in average retirement savings than black and Hispanic families. This gap is becoming more important as liquid retirement savings vehicles, like 401(k)s, replace more traditional defined-benefit pension plans.

Why does this gap exist? It's not just income differences; even at the same income level, gaps remain. Black and Hispanic families have less access to retirement saving vehicles and lower participation when they have access. But lower access and participation isn't the full story.

Black workers are somewhat less likely to participate in employer retirement plans than white workers ( 40 percent versus 47 percent in 2013, respectively) but have much lower average liquid retirement savings. This suggests that simply having more employers offer retirement plans will not be enough to close the gap, especially if lower-income groups contribute smaller portions of their income to retirement plans and are more likely to withdraw money early to cover financial emergencies. Lower-income families may also get lower returns on average if they invest in safer, shorter-term assets.

Since the mid-2000s, black families, on average, have carried more student loan debt than white families. This is driven in large part by the growing share of black families that take on student debt. In 2016, 42 percent of families headed by black adults ages 25 to 55 had student loan debt, compared with 34 percent of similar white families.

Because black families, on average, have less wealth and fewer private resources, they may be more likely to turn to loans to finance their education. White families are five times more likely than black families to receive large gifts or inheritances, which can be used to pay for college.

However, black students also have lower graduation rates than white students. Student loan debt doesn't always translate into a degree that promotes economic mobility-and income and wealth-in the long run.

The federal government spends over $400 billion to support asset development, but those subsidies primarily benefited higher-income families- exacerbating wealth inequality and racial wealth disparities.

About two-thirds of homeownership tax subsidies and retirement subsidies go to the top 20 percent of taxpayers, as measured by income. The bottom 20 percent, meanwhile, receive less than 1 percent of these subsidies. Blacks and Hispanics, who have lower average incomes, receive much less of these subsidies than whites, both in total amount and as a share of their incomes.

Low-income families benefit from safety net programs, such as food and cash assistance, but most of these programs focus on income-keeping families afloat today-and do not encourage wealth-building and economic mobility in the long run. What's more, many programs discourage saving: for instance, when families won't qualify for benefits if they have a few thousand dollars in assets or when they have to give up rent subsidies to own a home.

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Nine Charts about Wealth Inequality in America (Updated)

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Average wealth has increased over the past 50 years, but it has not grown equally for all groups.

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Income Inequality Visualizations by the U.S. Census Bureau

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Income Inequality Visualizations by the U.S. Census Bureau

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These official charts show how income inequality has evolved across different regions, age groups, and races in the U.S. The visuals make it clear that inequality is growing, and it’s touching nearly every part of society. Coming from a government source, it adds weight to what I see daily at WIC and in my personal life. It shows that my struggle isn’t an anomaly it’s part of a widespread and growing problem that demands urgent attention.

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Data made visual with charts, tables, maps, and other graphic elements. They are often interactive and contain text for labeling, not narration.

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This documentary explores the intricate relationships between billionaires and political figures shedding light on how these connection shaped policies and society. The film highlights, the profound impact that wealthy individuals and corporations have on political decisions often prioritizing their interests over the needs of the broader population this dynamic contributes to policies that may not address the challenges faced by working class families, including those rely on programs like the one I work for

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Billionaires, Politics, and the Power of Influence

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This news clip presents a balance discussion on the proposal to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 featuring prospectives from both proponents and opponents of the increase the debate highlights, the complexities surrounding wage policies and their potential impact on workers and businesses for single mothers and low income families, a higher minimum wage could mean improved financial stability and reduced reliance on assistance programs.

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Minimum wage debate: The arguments for and against raising it to $15

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This PBS segment investigates how economic inequality adversely affects health outcomes, particularly among disadvantage communities. The video also illustrates the correlation between income, disparities and health issues, emphasizing the economic status can significantly influence access to healthcare and overall well-being. This is particularly relevant for the participants in the program I work for who often face health challenges linked to financial constraints.

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Inequality Hurts: The Unhealthy Side Effects of Economic Disparity

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Oxfam is a global organization working to end poverty and injustice.​

Their purpose is to highlight and address the systemic causes of economic inequality worldwide.​ Their main audience is policymakers, activists, researchers, and the general public.​

Oxfam's reports and campaigns bring attention to how wealth concentration among the elite exacerbates poverty, influencing global discussions on economic reforms.​

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economic inequality | Oxfam International

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We collect analytics data in order to understand site usage. This data is collected anonymously and is not associated to you personally. Decide what you want to share with us below.

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EPI is a nonprofit think tank focusing on the economic conditions of low- and middle-income workers.​

EPI conducts research and analysis on economic policies affecting working people in the U.S.​

Their target audience is economists, labor organizations, policymakers, and concerned citizens.​

EPI's data-driven reports shed light on wage stagnation, labor rights, and policy impacts, influencing debates on economic justice.

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Cutting Medicaid to pay for low taxes on the rich is a terrible trade for American families

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Keeping taxes low for the richest households and corporations is the clearest legislative priority of the Trump administration and the Republican congressional majority. Many provisions of the 2017 tax law (often called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act or the TCJA) are expiring this year. Extending these provisions would provide hugely disproportionate benefits to the…

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Inequality.org is a project of the Institute for Policy Studies, providing analysis on income and wealth disparities.​

To offer comprehensive information and solutions to address economic inequality.​

Their target audience is activists, educators, journalists, and the general public.​

This project amplifies stories and campaigns aimed at reversing extreme inequality, fostering informed advocacy.​

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Your online portal to data, analysis, and commentary on income and wealth inequality.

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Pew Research Center provides nonpartisan data on public opinions and demographic trends.​

Its purpose is to inform the public and policymakers about perceptions and realities of economic inequality.​

It's target audience is researchers, policymakers, educators, and the media.​

Pew's surveys and reports offer insights into how Americans perceive and are affected by income disparities, informing public discourse.

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Economic Inequality - Research and data from Pew Research Center

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Research and data on Economic Inequality from Pew Research Center

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Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization conducting in-depth research.​

The Brookings Institution analyzes economic policies and their implications for inequality.​

Their target audience is policymakers, scholars, and informed citizens.​

Brookings provides comprehensive analyses on topics like taxation, education, and healthcare, offering policy recommendations to address economic disparities.​

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Without proper oversight, the widespread adoption of AI may increase inequality, bias, and discrimination. How should societies guard against those risks?

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The U.S. Census Bureau collects and disseminates data on income, earnings, and poverty.​

The U.S Census Bureau provides detailed statistics on income distribution in the U.S.​

Their target audience is researchers, policymakers, and the public.​

The Census Bureau's data serves as a foundational resource for understanding income distribution and informing policy decisions.​

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Stats displayed in columns and rows with title, ID, notes, sources and release date. Many tables are in downloadable XLS, CVS and PDF file formats.

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The BLS offers data on wages, benefits, and employment trends.​

The BLS provides comprehensive statistics on labor market dynamics.​

BLS target audience is economists, labor organizations, and policymakers.​

BLS data helps track labor market dynamics, informing discussions on wage policies and labor rights.​

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Overview of BLS Statistics on Pay and Benefits

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Overview of BLS Statistics on Pay and Benefits

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The Treasury's Financial Report offers an overview of the federal government's financial position.​

They present the government's financial condition, including revenues, costs, assets, and liabilities.​

They target Government officials, economists, and the public.​

The report provides transparency on government finances, influencing fiscal policy and public understanding of national economic health.​

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This report provides an overview of our programs, accomplishments, challenges, and management’s accountability for the resources entrusted to us. The report is prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-136, Financial Reporting Requirements. Treasury has made every effort to make these documents accessible, but if you are having any problems with accessibility please contact us for assistance. Latest Agency Financial ReportFY 2024 Agency Financial Report Previous Year ReportsAgency Financial ReportsFY 2023 Agency Financial Report FY 2022 Agency Financial Report FY 2021 Agency Financial ReportFY 2020 Agency Financial Report FY 2019 Agency Financial ReportFY 2018 Agency Financial ReportFY 2017 Agency Financial Report FY 2016 Agency Financial Report FY 2015 Agency Financial ReportFY 2014 Agency Financial ReportFY 2014 Agency Financial Report Print Version(This document is not 508 compliant) FY 2013 Agency Financial ReportFull Agency Financial Report AFR Additional Documents *For additional 508 accessibility & reading assistance for some of the charts in part 2 of the AFR, please refer to this document”2011 Financial Agency Report 2010 Performance and Accountability Report Summary of Performance and Financial InformationFY 2015 Citizens’ Report FY 2014 Citizens’ ReportFY 2013 Citizens’ ReportFY 2012 Citizens’ Report Office of Financial StabilityFY 2010 Agency Financial Report - Office of Financial StabilityFY 2009 Agency Financial Report - Office of Financial Stability Public Reports Concerning Conference-Related ExpensesFY 2024 Conference Spending ReportFY 2023 Conference Spending ReportFY 2022 Conference Spending ReportFY 2021 Conference Spending ReportFY 2020 Conference Spending ReportFY 2018 Conference Spending ReportFY 2017 Conference Spending ReportFY 2016 Conference Spending ReportFY 2015 Conference Spending Report FY 2014 Conference Spending ReportFY 2013 Conference Spending ReportFY 2012 Conference Spending Report Sustainability Scorecard ReportsFY 14 Strategic Sustainability ReportFY 13 Strategic Sustainability ReportFY 12 Strategic Sustainability ReportFAIR Act InventoryFAIR Act Inventory 2014FAIR Act Inventory 2013FAIR Act Inventory 2012 Other ReportsFY 2015 Strategic Sustainability Report​FAIR Act Inventory 2014Treasury Plan for Retrospective Analysis of Existing Rules 2010 For more information or copies of Performance and Accountability reports, contact Office of the Deputy Chief Financial Officer.

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The Guardian's dedicated section reports on global and local issues related to inequality.​

The Guardian highlights various societal disparities through in-depth journalism.​

The Guardian targets general readers, activists, and policymakers.​

The Guardian's reporting brings attention to the human stories behind economic statistics, fostering empathy and awareness.

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Your support powers our independent journalism

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This program examines how extreme inequalities affect democracy, social solidarity, and economic stability.​

They encourage policy interventions that can reduce extreme wealth inequality.​

Their goal is to target scholars, activists, and the general public.​

The program offers critical analyses and policy recommendations aimed at promoting equity and social justice.

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Program on Inequality and the Common Good - Institute for Policy Studies

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The Program on Inequality and the Common Good focuses on extreme inequalities of income, wealth and opportunity that are disrupting democracy, social solidarity, and many other aspects of our personal and public lives.

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Teaching With Documents: Photographs of Lewis Hine: Documentation of Child Labor

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This photograph by Lewis Hine captures a young girl working as a spinner in a Georgia cotton mill in 1909. Hine's work was instrumental in exposing the harsh realities of child labor, leading to significant reforms in labor laws. The image highlights the exploitation of vulnerable populations and the socioeconomic conditions that forced families to rely on child labor for survival. It serves as a historical reference to ongoing discussions about labor rights and economic inequality.​

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Background

"There is work that profits children, and there is work that brings profit only to employers. The object of employing children is not to train them, but to get high profits from their work."
-- Lewis Hine, 1908

After the Civil War, the availability of natural resources, new inventions, and a receptive market combined to fuel an industrial boom. The demand for labor grew, and in the late 19th and early 20th centuries many children were drawn into the labor force. Factory wages were so low that children often had to work to help support their families. The number of children under the age of 15 who worked in industrial jobs for wages climbed from 1.5 million in 1890 to 2 million in 1910. Businesses liked to hire children because they worked in unskilled jobs for lower wages than adults, and their small hands made them more adept at handling small parts and tools. Children were seen as part of the family economy. Immigrants and rural migrants often sent their children to work, or worked alongside them. However, child laborers barely experienced their youth. Going to school to prepare for a better future was an opportunity these underage workers rarely enjoyed. As children worked in industrial settings, they began to develop serious health problems. Many child laborers were underweight. Some suffered from stunted growth and curvature of the spine. They developed diseases related to their work environment, such as tuberculosis and bronchitis for those who worked in coal mines or cotton mills. They faced high accident rates due to physical and mental fatigue caused by hard work and long hours.

By the early 1900s many Americans were calling child labor "child slavery" and were demanding an end to it. They argued that long hours of work deprived children of the opportunity of an education to prepare themselves for a better future. Instead, child labor condemmed them to a future of illiteracy, poverty, and continuing misery. In 1904 a group of progressive reformers founded the National Child Labor Committee, an organization whose goal was the abolition of child labor. The organization received a charter from Congress in 1907. It hired teams of investigators to gather evidence of children working in harsh conditions and then organized exhibitions with photographs and statistics to dramatize the plight of these children. These efforts resulted in the establishment in 1912 of the Children's Bureau as a federal information clearinghouse. In 1913 the Children's Bureau was transferred to the Department of Labor.

Lewis Hine, a New York City schoolteacher and photographer, believed that a picture could tell a powerful story. He felt so strongly about the abuse of children as workers that he quit his teaching job and became an investigative photographer for the National Child Labor Committee. Hine traveled around the country photographing the working conditions of children in all types of industries. He photographed children in coal mines, in meatpacking houses, in textile mills, and in canneries. He took pictures of children working in the streets as shoe shiners, newsboys, and hawkers. In many instances he tricked his way into factories to take the pictures that factory managers did not want the public to see. He was careful to document every photograph with precise facts and figures. To obtain captions for his pictures, he interviewed the children on some pretext and then scribbled his notes with his hand hidden inside his pocket. Because he used subterfuge to take his photographs, he believed that he had to be "double-sure that my photo data was 100% pure--no retouching or fakery of any kind." Hine defined a good photograph as "a reproduction of impressions made upon the photographer which he desires to repeat to others." Because he realized his photographs were subjective, he described his work as "photo-interpretation."

Hine believed that if people could see for themselves the abuses and injustice of child labor, they would demand laws to end those evils. By 1916, Congress passed the Keating-Owens Act that established the following child labor standards: a minimum age of 14 for workers in manufacturing and 16 for workers in mining; a maximum workday of 8 hours; prohibition of night work for workers under age 16; and a documentary proof of age. Unfortunately, this law was later ruled unconstitutional on the ground that congressional power to regulate interstate commerce did not extend to the conditions of labor. Effective action against child labor had to await the New Deal. Reformers, however, did succeed in forcing legislation at the state level banning child labor and setting maximum hours. By 1920 the number of child laborers was cut to nearly half of what it had been in 1910.

Lewis Hine died in poverty, neglected by all but a few. His reputation continued to grow, however, and now he is recognized as a master American photographer. His photographs remind us what it was like to be a child and to labor like an adult at a time when labor was harsher than it is now. Hine's images of working children stirred America's conscience and helped change the nation's labor laws. Through his exercise of free speech and freedom of the press, Lewis Hine made a difference in the lives of American workers and, most importantly, American children. Hundreds of his photographs are available online from the National Archives through the National Archives Catalog .

Resources

Foner, Eric, and John A. Garraty, eds. The Reader's Companion to American History. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1991.

Nash, Gary B., et al. The American People: Creating a Nation and a Society. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1990.

Tindall, George Brown, with David E. Shi. America: A Narrative History. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 1992.

The Documents

Garment Workers, New York, NYNational Archives and Records Administration
January 25, 1908

Records of the Department of Commerce and Labor, Children's Bureau
Record Group 102
National Archives Identifier: 523065

Basket Seller, Cincinnati, OH National Archives and Records Administration
August 22, 1908

Records of the Department of Commerce and Labor, Children's Bureau
Record Group 102
National Archives Identifier: 523070

Young Boys Schucking Oysters, Apalachicola, FLNational Archives and Records Administration
January 25, 1909

Records of the Department of Commerce and Labor, Children's Bureau
Record Group 102
National Archives Identifier: 523162

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Teaching With Documents: Photographs of Lewis Hine: Documentation of Child Labor

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Background "There is work that profits children, and there is work that brings profit only to employers. The object of employing children is not to train them, but to get high profits from their work." -- Lewis Hine, 1908 After the Civil War, the availability of natural resources, new inventions, and a receptive market combined to fuel an industrial boom.

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Photographer Johnny Miller's aerial image contrasts Mumbai's densely packed slums with neighboring luxury high-rises. This visual representation underscores the extreme wealth inequality and urban segregation prevalent in many global cities. The proximity of poverty to affluence in the same geographic area highlights systemic issues in urban planning and economic distribution.​

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Johnny Miller

This inequality is no more evident than in Mumbai, the nation's financial capital and most expensive housing market. In the center of the city, the Dharavi slum - the largest in all of Asia - provides cheaper housing options for low-income residents.

But the environment is less than ideal: The slum's ramshackle, one-story buildings are so crammed, they appear as one large mass from above. Even newly-constructed housing blocks have fallen apart due to neglect.

Many of its inhabitants are second-generation migrants who have lived there for decades. Dharavi homes also function as work spaces for the city's artisans, including potters, tanners, weavers, and soap makers, whose offices are located underneath living spaces and bedrooms.

India's monsoon season lasts from early summer to late fall. Extreme weather has made the nation vulnerable to floods and landslides, resulting in a death toll of around 200 people this year alone. In Mumbai, thousands of people were stranded and transit services were suspended due to heavy rains.

Dharavi has seen a decrease in violent crime since the 1980s, and its proximity to the airport and subway lines has spurred a host of new development.

In addition to artisan workers, Dharavi benefits from a massive recycling industry. As the setting of the popular film Slumdog Millionaire, it also attracts a number of tourists - though many have questioned the ethics of the area's "slum tours."

The park was made possible thanks to a joint project between the Mumbai government and World Wildlife Fund.

Entrance to the park costs less than a cup of tea, or around 14 cents, according to Miller.

The Mithi River separates the Dharavi slum to the right and the Bandra Kurla to the left - the site of many wealthy financiers, real estate professionals, and media execs. The city is currently constructing a bridge to connect the two locations.

On the right, the Bandra Kurla hosts India's top energy company, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation. But the neighboring slum is home to the Bombay Stock Exchange and the consulate generals of several countries.

"The city is incredibly busy and huge, but not overwhelming or scary," said Miller. "Understanding the context of a place is important, and I hope that's apparent in the aerial images."

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Drone photos of Mumbai reveal the places where extreme poverty meets extreme wealth

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Photographer Johnny Miller captures the stark contrast between crammed single-story dwellings and neighboring high-rises occupied by wealthy financiers, real estate professionals, and media execs.

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Photographer Jeffrey A. Wolin's series combines images and personal narratives to humanize individuals experiencing homelessness. By sharing their stories, the project challenges stereotypes and emphasizes the systemic issues contributing to poverty. The portraits foster empathy and a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding homelessness.​

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Faces of Homelessness – Jeffrey A. Wolin

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Jeffrey Wolin photographs trauma victims such as Holocaust survivors, American and Vietnamese war veterans, residents of a housing project and homelessness.

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This digital artwork uses humor and satire to comment on class disparities, making complex socio-economic issues more accessible and engaging, particularly for younger audiences. Memes like this can spark conversations about wealth inequality and encourage critical thinking about societal structures.​

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69 Digital Art Memes ideas | art memes, memes, artist problems

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May 24, 2023 - Need a little break while doing digital art? Put down your wacom or ipad and enjoy this collection of digital art memes. See more ideas about art memes, memes, artist problems.

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Johnny Miller's 'Unequal Scenes' project uses drone photography to reveal the stark divides between affluent and impoverished neighborhoods. The bird's-eye view exposes the physical manifestations of economic inequality, prompting viewers to reflect on the systemic nature of these disparities. The images serve as powerful visual evidence of social and economic segregation.​

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An aerial photography project documenting inequality around the world.

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This political cartoon satirizes the significant influence corporations have over political processes. It critiques how wealth concentration can undermine democratic institutions and favor the affluent. The illustration serves as a commentary on the intersection of economic power and political decision-making, raising questions about fairness and representation.

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Corporate Political Influence Cartoons and Comics - funny pictures from CartoonStock

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Corporate Political Influence funny cartoons from CartoonStock directory - the world’s largest on-line collection of cartoons and comics.

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Dana Lixenberg’s portraits from a suburban homeless shelter highlight how poverty and housing insecurity aren’t just urban problems, they’re affecting families in every corner of society. This hits home for me as a single working mother of three kids. I work full-time, go to school, and still struggle to make ends meet in a place that looks like it should be comfortable. These images speak to that invisible struggle, how close so many of us are to falling through the cracks despite doing everything “right.” They’re a reminder that poverty wears many faces, and it doesn’t always look like what you expect.

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Homeless in Suburbia: Portraits From Jeffersonville, Indiana

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Seventeen years after she originally photographed a homeless shelter in Jeffersonville, Indiana, photographer Dana Lixenberg returned, documenting for TIME the continuing lives of the shelter’s tenants.

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This cartoon critiques the growing wealth gap by showing how a small group controls a vast majority of the world’s resources while everyone else fights for scraps. It’s a humorous take, but for people like me single, working moms juggling full-time jobs, school, and kids it hits hard. I make just enough not to qualify for assistance, yet barely enough to survive, let alone thrive. The cartoon mirrors my reality: feeling like I'm doing everything “right” but still can't get ahead because the system was never built for people like me. It speaks volumes about the imbalance in opportunities and access.

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Wealth Concentration Cartoons and Comics - funny pictures from CartoonStock

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Wealth Concentration funny cartoons from CartoonStock directory - the world's largest on-line collection of cartoons and comics.

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This photo of child laborers during the 1912 “Bread and Roses” strike highlights the desperate economic conditions that pushed families to send their children into dangerous factory work. While the era is different, the message still resonates: working-class families are often forced to sacrifice just to survive. As a single mother and teen mom of three working full-time, going to school, and barely making ends meet, I deeply connect with this image. Like the families in the photo, I’ve had to make impossible choices, constantly juggling my role as provider, nurturer, and student with little to no help. It’s a sobering reminder that the fight for fair wages and dignity in work is far from over.

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Heartbreaking Historical Photos From America’s Battle For Fair Labor Conditions

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This image powerfully illustrates how the wealthy and the poor often live side by side but in completely different worlds. It reminds me of the disparity I see every day in my own community. Luxury homes just miles from families like mine who live paycheck to paycheck. Despite working full-time, raising three kids, and attending school, I still don’t qualify for assistance and am constantly on the edge financially. This visual captures how invisible that struggle can be to those who live in comfort, and how unjust it feels to fight so hard and still barely get by. It reflects a broader, systemic problem that needs urgent attention.

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Drone Photo Series Highlights Wealth Inequality in Cities Around the World

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The vast wealth inequality in cities across the world is put on display in this photo series created by photographer Johnny Miller.

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This video examines how current US tax policies contribute to the widening wealth gap favoring the affluent while placing a heavier burden on lower income individuals. The discussion sheds light on the structural aspects of the tax system that exasperate economic disparities. Understanding these policies is crucial for advocating reforms that promote equity and support for programs assisting low income families

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Why U.S. Tax Policies are Fueling the Wealth Gap in America