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May, 1988, Vol. 111, No. 5

The declining middle-class thesis:
a sensitivity analysis

Michael W. Horrigan
Economist, Division of Labor Force Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Steven E. Haugen
Economist, Division of Labor Force Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics

New study supports the hypothesis of a shrinking middle; the declining proportion of families in the middle has largely moved to the upper class, although the share of income held by the lower class has declined. This article describes the nature and results of such a sensitivity analysis.

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Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey

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