Race, Ethnicity and the Economy
EPI’s program on Race, Ethnicity and the Economy (PREE) researches racial inequality in the U.S. economy. Unemployment and poverty rates in the U.S. have consistently been higher among people of color, while levels of income and wealth among these groups have trailed the general population. PREE works to advance policies that ensure racial and ethnic minorities participate fully in American economy, and benefit equally from gains in prosperity.
The status of people of color—America’s non-white and Hispanic populations—will be increasingly important to the economic health of the country. Currently, nearly one-half of children under the age of 5 are of color, and, according to Census Bureau projections, by 2042, a majority of the country’s population will be non-white. Already, the majority of the populations in California, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Texas are non-white.
Unfortunately, racial inequality in the economy, education, criminal justice, and healthcare prevents many people of color from living up to their potential. When these individuals fail to prosper, the nation as a whole is less prosperous as well.
PREE will provide updated assessments of the state of people of color in the areas of poverty, employment, income, economic mobility, wealth, and health. These assessments will identify disparities and other key problems people of color face. This research will be foundational to policy prescriptions and future policy work. PREE’s priorities are to increase the number and quality of jobs available to communities of color and to expand and improve government work support programs such as earned income tax credits, child care assistance, public health insurance coverage and housing assistance that can help low-wage workers close the gap between insufficient earnings and basic expenses.
Further reading:
Unequal unemployment for African Americans and Hispanics
Racial disparities in unemployment vary widely by state
Economic gains stall for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
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