Report Higher Education in California By Patrick Murphy, Sarah Bohn, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Kevin Cook ... Oct 1, 2019 Higher education is a key driver of economic growth and individual opportunity in California. Substantial gains in college enrollment and graduation rates—particularly among historically underrepresented groups—can help boost economic mobility, increase tax revenue, and reduce pressure on the social safety net.
blog post Video: Californians and Their Economic Well-Being By Vicki Hsieh Nov 23, 2021 Twenty months into the COVID-19 pandemic, Californians have mixed reviews of the state’s economy and most say the gap between rich and poor is growing.
event Labor Force Participation in California Feb 27, 2024 California’s labor force participation is shrinking, mainly because of an aging population. But significant participation gaps across demographic groups also pose limitations. How can the state remove barriers to work and build a strong workforce for years to come? PPIC researchers Julien Lafortune, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, and Hans Johnson will discuss findings—and pathways forward—from a new report.
blog post What’s in Store for California’s Economy? By Sarah Bohn Jan 10, 2024 California starts the year with low unemployment, rising wages, and falling inflation—but also with residents expressing pessimism about the state's economic outlook. We look at what's ahead for the California economy.
page Economic Trends Jan 26, 2024 Analyzing the major economic and labor market trends that are affecting California today and shaping its future.
event The Importance of CalFresh in Unstable Times Sep 23, 2022 CalFresh is one of California’s largest safety net programs, providing food assistance to 4.8 million residents. As policymakers consider ways to strengthen the link between safety net participation and economic mobility, a better understanding of the job and income instability that participants face is critical. PPIC’s Tess Thorman and Caroline Danielson will discuss CalFresh enrollment before and during the COVID crisis, participants’ ties to the workforce, and the program’s role in stabilizing family budgets.
Report Income Inequality and the Safety Net in California By Caroline Danielson, Sarah Bohn May 19, 2016 Income inequality has been growing for decades, in California and the nation as a whole. In recent years, inequality—and the role of policy in addressing it—has become a major focus of public debate. This report documents the polarization of incomes across the state and shows how social safety net programs mitigate inequality.
Report The Distribution of Income in California By Deborah Reed, Melissa Glenn Haber, Laura Mameesh Jul 1, 1996 Income inequality—a measure of how equally the income pie is divided among all members of society—has increased dramatically in the United States over the past three decades. To determine whether California trends have mirrored those of the nation, the authors analyze annual changes in income distribution from the late 1960s through 1994. Using five measures of inequality, 26 definitions of income, and two data series, they compare income levels and trends in California with those of the nation. Their analyses provide the most comprehensive picture ever assembled on income inequality in California.
blog post Geography of Educational Attainment in California By Cesar Alesi Perez, Hans Johnson, Vicki Hsieh Apr 6, 2021 Overall, one-third of Californians age 25 and older have at least a bachelor’s degree. But this share varies widely—both across the state’s regions and within individual counties.
