Better Than You Think: Long-Run Trends in Poverty, Inequality, and Mobility

September

2026

Past Event

Better Than You Think: Long-Run Trends in Poverty, Inequality, and Mobility

Event Summary

On September 8, AEI’s Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility hosted leading poverty measurement experts to discuss long-term trends in hardship, inequality, and economic mobility in anticipation of the annual release of new Census Bureau income and poverty estimates on September 15.

Moderated by Scott Winship, the first panel featured experts including Richard Burkhauser and Bruce D. Meyer. Their presentations and discussion focused on long-term poverty trends, specifically the various ways to measure poverty and what the official poverty measure should be.

Kevin Corinth moderated the second panel, during which Scott Winship and Phillip W. Magness analyzed inequality trends and absolute mobility. While there is high demand for negative narratives around economic mobility, the evidence shows Americans are doing better than commonly believed.

—Tessa Johnson

Event Description

In anticipation of the annual release of new Census Bureau income and poverty estimates on September 15, this event provides an opportunity to assess long-running trends in hardship, inequality, and economic mobility. Recent analyses—often drawing less attention than the research they overturn or temper—have shown that declines in poverty have been much larger than most people realize, while increases in income concentration and declines in absolute mobility have been much smaller. This event will bring together leading measurement experts to discuss long-term trends. Panelists will address the evidence and the politics shaping methodological debates around these trends.

WATCH RECORDING HERE..

Agenda

11:45 p.m.
Registration Opens

12:00 p.m.
Opening Remarks:
Scott Winship, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

12:05 p.m.
Panel I: Long-Term Poverty Trends

Panelists:
Richard Burkhauser, Nonresident Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
Bruce D. Meyer, Nonresident Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

Moderator:
Scott Winship, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

12:50 p.m.
Q&A

1:05 p.m.
Break

1:15 p.m.
Panel II: Long-Term Trends in Economic Mobility and Income Inequality

Panelists:
Phillip W. Magness, Senior Fellow, Independent Institute
Scott Winship, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

Moderator:
Kevin Corinth, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute

2:00 p.m.
Q&A

2:15 p.m.
Adjournment