Fulfilling jobs that pay a living wage and facilitate economic mobility contribute to healthy, secure lives and financial security that extends across the lifespan. Productive, rewarding work also contributes to happiness and has a positive impact on families and communities — and financial security is critical for well-being.
Increasing access to banking and financial resources — especially for people with lower incomes and people from under-represented racial and ethnic groups — helps convert the value of work into savings that support resilience and build generational wealth. Further, removing systemic inequities will provide more paths to small-business ownership, access to capital, and other knowledge supports, contributing to equitable opportunity for careers and individual and community wealth that enable inclusive thriving.
Meaningful Work and Wealth includes:
- Family and community wealth
- Good-paying and fulfilling jobs
- Job (re)training
- Savings and limited debt
Key Statistics
- In 2018, about 28 million people in the United States worked in occupations that didn’t pay a living wage.
- 4 in 10 Americans say they would quit their job or start a business if they had the tools and resources to do so.
- 43 million people in the United States lack the basic literacy and numeracy skills needed for work.
Continuous learning, education, and literacy
Reliable, safe, and accessible transportation
Sense of belonging and power to shape a common world
Sustainable resources, contact with nature, freedom from hazards
Basic requirements for health and safety
Humane, consistent housing
