In 40 years, women’s social mobility has increased, men’s has remained almost stable

In 2015, 65% of men aged 35 to 59 belong to a different socio-professional category than their father, a proportion that has remained almost stable for forty years. 28% of men have a higher social position than their father and 15% a lower position. Both upward and downward trajectories are more frequent than in 1977 (24% and 7% respectively).

In 2015, 71% of women aged 35 to 59 belong to a different socio-professional category than their mothers, 12 points more than in 1977. 40% of women have a higher social position than their mothers and 12% a lower position. Their trajectories are therefore generally more favourable than those of men compared to their fathers. However, while women frequently occupy a higher social position than their mothers, this is still not the case compared to their fathers: 25% of women have experienced a downward trajectory compared to their fathers and 22% an upward trajectory.