---
"title": "America’s “Have-Nots”"
"description": "That's the percentage of the public who say they are probably among the \"have-nots\" in society rather than the \"haves\" -- twice the number who said so two decades ago."
"date": "2007-10-03"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Russell Heimlich"
    "job_title": "Former web developer"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/short-reads/2007/10/03/americas-have-nots/"
---

# America’s “Have-Nots”

The number of Americans who see themselves among the “have-nots” of society has doubled over the past two decades, from 17% in 1988 to 34% today. In 1988, far more Americans said that, if they had to choose, they probably were among the “haves” (59%) rather than the “have-nots” (17%). Today this gap is far narrower (45% “haves” vs. 34% “have-nots”). [Read More](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/pubs/593/haves-have-nots)