McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility

Accelerating inclusive growth. Improving economic mobility.

Economic mobility is critical to every society. The chance at economic opportunity, having control and autonomy over one’s life, and being valued in a community drives us to be better, to create, and to build. However, the chance to experience economic mobility is not evenly distributed1. Systemic gaps due to race, economic status, geography, and other factors impact the ability for some people to improve their socioeconomic realities. This affects lives and livelihoods and mutes the potential of families and economies.

Leaders across sectors understand that growth and inclusion are intertwined. For long-term competitiveness and growth to occur, we must address the obstacles facing those experiencing the greatest barriers. Addressing these issues requires insight, action, and impact-driven partnerships. The McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility is a research institute and think tank dedicated to advancing inclusive economic growth in the United States—and beyond.

Our mission is to help private-, public-, and social-sector leaders take coordinated action to accelerate inclusive economic growth and improve economic mobility.

Our Focus Areas

Black Economic Mobility
Black Economic Mobility
Helping organizations accelerate and sustain action that leads to the economic mobility and development of Black communities.
Latino Economic Mobility
Latino Economic Mobility
Supporting Latino communities in accessing economic mobility and building intergenerational wealth.
Rural Economic Mobility
Rural Economic Mobility
Reimagining opportunity in rural America and supporting leaders to advance economic mobility across its varied communities.

What we do

The McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility is anchored in an economic perspective. It focuses on addressing the drivers of economic inequality by:
Conducting distinctive & rigorous research
Conducting high-quality, comprehensive, objective research across a range of inclusive-economic-growth topics that build on McKinsey’s unique assets and capabilities.
Convening & empowering leaders
Working with partner organizations to bring together influential leaders and cross-sector stakeholders to catalyze dialogue and action.
Driving real-world impact
Translating research and insights into tools and capabilities that support clients and impact the real world.
Contact us
Please reach out if you are interested in learning more about our research, work, capabilities, or partnering with us.

Featured research

Cars and pedestrians are moving by on a busy main street in rural America with window-lined with shops and a cobblestone roadway
Report - McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility
America’s next growth opportunity: An investment-ready heartland
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With a more coordinated approach, smaller cities in the middle of the country could generate trillions of dollars in added economic output.
A collage of diverse people in video-call style stills representing Americans sharing their hopes, challenges, and ideas for expanding opportunity as the United States marks its 250th anniversary.
Report
In pursuit of progress: Americans’ aspirations for economic mobility
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As the United States celebrates 250 years, Americans share their aspirations for a better life, the barriers they face, and their priorities for expanding economic opportunity in a changing nation.
A video-style collage shows children, caregivers, housing, education, and play, illustrating life stages from birth to first-time homeownership and how upward economic mobility can positively impact a person’s life.
Report
From access to assets: How early-life wealth building can shape economic mobility
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Investing in children’s financial futures can narrow disparities and expand opportunity. Different scenarios for the new 530A accounts, also known as Trump Accounts, highlight the factors that can shape its impact.
View all research

Our People

Shelley Stewart III
Senior Partner and Global Leader, Insights, Reputation & EngagementNew York
Advises companies on strategy and growth-led transformations; guides organizations to build a more inclusive, dynamic economy;...
Lucy Pérez
Senior Partner and Global Coleader, McKinsey Health InstituteBoston
Leader in McKinsey’s Life Sciences practice, advising pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical-product companies, and healthcare...
Nora Gardner
Senior PartnerWashington DC
Combines technical expertise with a passion for people, advising clients on issues of organizational change and talent management...
See more people

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1. Disparities are evident between rural and non-rural populations. A 2021 American Community Survey indicates that approximately 80% of counties experiencing long-term poverty are rural, with about 25% of these counties having a higher proportion of people of color. Furthermore, Opportunity Insights highlights that although the racial mobility gap between Black and White populations has narrowed, White adults from low-income backgrounds still earn, on average, 41% more than their Black counterparts from similar economic backgrounds. There are also notable difference in outcomes for Latinos, where median parental income for Latino children (between the ages of 13 and 17) is $44,600, which is 51% lower than the median parental income for White children ($91,800).