Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Socioeconomic status (SES) is a measure of an individual's or family's economic and social position relative to others, based on income, education, and occupation. It plays a key role in determining access to resources and opportunities.
Related terms
Social stratification: The division of society into different categories, ranks, or layers based on attributes like wealth, power, and prestige.
Wealth disparity: The unequal distribution of assets among residents of an area or country which contributes to variations in their socioeconomic status.
Upward mobility: The ability for individuals or groups to improve their socioeconomic status within a society’s hierarchy through changes in income, education, or occupation