I can’t vouch for the accuracy of the research behind this, but the BBC today posted a fascinating piece saying that ‘people in the UK now fit into seven social classes’.
‘Class has traditionally been defined by occupation, wealth and education. But this research argues that this is too simplistic, suggesting that class has three dimensions – economic, social and cultural.’
This being the case, the new classes are defined as:
• Elite – the most privileged group in the UK, distinct from the other six classes through its wealth. This group has the highest levels of all three capitals.
• Established middle class – the second wealthiest, scoring highly on all three capitals. The largest and most gregarious group, scoring second highest for cultural capital.
• Technical middle class – a small, distinctive new class group which is prosperous but scores low for social and cultural capital. Distinguished by its social isolation and cultural apathy.
• New affluent workers – a young class group which is socially and culturally active, with middling levels of economic capital.
• Traditional working class – scores low on all forms of capital, but is not completely deprived. Its members have reasonably high house values, explained by this group having the oldest average age at 66.
• Emergent service workers – a new, young, urban group which is relatively poor but has high social and cultural capital.
• Precariat, or precarious proletariat – the poorest, most deprived class, scoring low for social and cultural capital.
A link to a ‘calculator’ allows readers to see where they might fit.
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