downward mobility

British  

noun

1. sociol the movement of an individual, social group, or class to a lower status Compare upward mobility See also horizontal mobility vertical mobility

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Example Sentences

"There's not only no upward mobility to start with, but even downward mobility ends with death."

From BBC • Jul. 8, 2025

Another study found that 49% of older workers and their spouses will experience downward mobility in retirement.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2025

Instead, they have suffered the grind of a country grappling with impossible debts and downward mobility.

From New York Times • May 17, 2022

The saddest scenes, though, are the ubiquitous jumbled piles of household goods, telling mute tales of sudden downward mobility and flight that have cut across all classes.

From Washington Post • Oct. 2, 2021

People without a college education have been especially put on a downward mobility track.

From Seattle Times • May 25, 2018