Fact Sheet Income Inequality in California By Tess Thorman, Daniel Payares-Montoya Apr 17, 2024 California’s income gap narrowed in 2022, but the disparity between high and low incomes is wider in California than in most other states. Over the longer term, income inequality has been driven by earnings growth among college-educated workers.
Report California’s Care Workforce By Shannon McConville, Daniel Payares-Montoya, Sarah Bohn Apr 3, 2024 State master plans on the aging population and early learning and care have prioritized workforce expansion and career pathways for care workers who provide key services to young children, older residents, and people with disabilities. A new report outlines current realities and highlights challenges and opportunities in growing this critical workforce.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: California’s Care Workforce By Shannon McConville, Daniel Payares-Montoya, Sarah Bohn, Mary Severance Apr 3, 2024 Demand for caregiving services is growing as California’s population ages and as the state invests in early childhood care and learning. There are many workforce challenges—including low pay and limited opportunities for advancement. Efforts in several key areas could improve prospects for care workers and help California meet its caregiving needs.
Fact Sheet California’s Digital Divide By Joseph Hayes, Eric Assan, Niu Gao Apr 1, 2024 Digital access is at an all-time high in California—and major investments by state and federal governments have helped narrow the digital divide. But racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities persist.
blog post Why Have US and California Jobs Numbers Diverged? By Sarah Bohn, Jenny Duan, Marisol Cuellar Mejia Mar 28, 2024 Though unemployment statewide remains low by historical standards, California's recent job growth has been notably slower than growth in the nation as whole. A look at the state's major employment sectors helps explain why.
blog post Revised Estimates Show Weaker 2023 Job Trends in California—but There Are Signs of Strength By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Julien Lafortune, Sarah Bohn Mar 15, 2024 Revised data show that California experienced weaker job growth in 2023 than originally estimated. However, January’s job report shows signs of an improving labor market, especially in sectors such as tech and administrative services that had struggled last year.
blog post Video: Labor Force Participation in California By Chansonette Buck Mar 7, 2024 California faces a shrinking labor force, largely due to an aging population. PPIC researchers Julien Lafortune, Hans Johnson, and Marisol Cuellar Mejia discuss their new report on the implications of—and potential solutions to—this economic challenge.
Report Do Registration Reforms Add New Voters or Keep Californians Registered? By Eric McGhee, Jennifer Paluch, Mindy Romero Mar 6, 2024 In recent years, new voter registration and voter address updates have surged—due largely to California’s new process for automatic voter registration. But registration reforms have not significantly diversified the electorate, and the state may need to do more to engage newly registered voters.
blog post California’s Economy—Past, Present, and Future By Sarah Bohn Feb 29, 2024 As part on an ongoing series celebrating PPIC's 30th anniversary, Sarah Bohn—who directs the new PPIC Economic Policy Center—reflects on key trends and transformations in the state's economy over the last three decades.