Falling Behind:

1. The Economic Challenges Confronting a New Generation Falling Behind: Tamara Draut, Vice President of Policy and Programs, Demos Author, Strapped: Why America’s 20- and 30-Somethings Can’t Get Ahead demos.org strappedthebook.com

2. Typical earnings for all men age 25-34 in 1975 Typical earnings for all men age 25-34 in 2005 $43,416 $35,100

3. Typical earnings for all women age 25-34 in 1975 Typical earnings for all women age 25-34 in 2005 $29,184 $30,300

4. Median Earnings of Young Workers (25-34 yrs old) with High School Diploma 1975-2005 (2004 dollars) Source: US Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, March Supplement, 1975-2005.

5. Median Earnings of Young Workers (25-34 yrs old) with Some College1975-2005 (2004 dollars) Source: US Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, March Supplement, 1975-2005.

6. Median Earnings of Young Workers (25-34 yrs old) with Bachelor’s Degree or Higher1975-2005 (2004 dollars) Source: US Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, March Supplement, 1975-2005.

7. Declining Job Quality Health Insurance Recent High School Grads 1979 63% 2006 32% Recent College Grads 1979 77% 2006 64% The State of Working America 2008/2009

8. 18 Million Number of Uninsured Young People (18-34 yrs old)

9. Declining Job Quality Pension Coverage Recent High School Grads 1979 36% 2006 18% Recent College Grads 1979 51% 2006 46% The State of Working America 2008/2009

10. Two-thirds of 18-34 year olds have credit card debt Average debt among low- to middle-income households is just over $8,000 Top reasons for debt: car repairs, job loss and home repairs 45% reported using credit cards in the last year to pay for basic living expenses such as rent, mortgage payments, groceries and utilities GenerationDebt

11. For more information, visitdemos.orgor strappedthebook.com