Today, a new research study conducted in the United Kingdom has been released, revealing a link between friendships across economic backgrounds and increased earnings in adulthood. This study is a collaboration between the Behavioural Insights Team, Royal Society of Arts, Stripe Partners, and Neighbourly Lab.
The findings indicate that children from low-income families who grow up in areas where cross-class friendships are common earn 38% more as adults compared to those who lived in areas with fewer such connections. On average, this equates to an additional £5,100 per year.
The study emphasizes that the advantage remains significant even after considering other area characteristics. Economic connectedness emerges as the second most crucial factor for upward mobility within an area after median income, even when accounting for income, education, and health outcomes.
Regional disparities were noted in the study. Cross-class friendships are prevalent in South East England, especially around London. Conversely, regions like northern England, South Wales, the Scottish Central Belt, and Northern Ireland exhibit lower levels of economic connectedness.
Hobby groups such as sports teams were identified as effective environments for forming cross-class friendships across the UK.
The research paper and its accompanying visualization and dataset have been made publicly available. The aim is to enable further research and inform policies that foster social capital and economic opportunity throughout the country.