upward mobility

British  

noun

1. sociol the movement of an individual, social group, or class to a position of increased status or power Compare downward mobility See also horizontal mobility vertical mobility

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upward mobility Cultural  

1. Rising from a lower to a higher social class or status. (See also social mobility.)

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Example Sentences

Having a roof over your head is a fundamental human need and is a foundation for financial stability and upward mobility.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

I am very good at what I do, but there is limited upward mobility for this position.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

Beyond the devastating personal impacts of workplace harassment, it can also cause lasting economic harm to employees by stunting their life-time earnings, undermining their upward mobility and even prompting them to change careers entirely.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026

The route to upward mobility in the U.S. used to be to graduate from college, work a stable white-collar job and buy a home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

But monumental changes in the economy and in attitudes toward immigrants have made it far less likely that Peralta and his children will experience the same upward mobility as Zannikos and his family.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times