Social capital is the resources people get from their close friends and extended social circles, such as personal support from family and employment opportunities from friends. Whether built in person or virtually, social connections between community members—especially among those from different economic backgrounds—can facilitate upward mobility and feelings of belonging.

Evidence on the Relationship between Social Capital and Upward Mobility Outcomes

As of December 2021, researchers have documented the following connections between this predictor and upward mobility. Asterisk (*) indicates primary reference. 

• Putnam (1995, 2000*, and 2001) shows the positive relationship between social capital and education, child well-being, improvements in community crime rates, health, tolerance, happiness, and economic and civic equality. The author also shows that broad declines in social capital and social engagement should be a cause for concern.
• Researchers have studied the impact of social capital on the ability of a household living in poverty to move out of poverty and found that a household’s social connections can improve access to assets that facilitate upward economic mobility. However, forming these connections can be costly, and barriers like time and financial resources often make generating social capital difficult (Chantarat and Barrett 2012).
• Researchers have studied social capital’s impact on domains—such as health (Freese and Lutfey 2011), jobs (Fernandez, Castilla, and Moore 2000), social support (Putnam 1995), and local social control (e.g., collective efficacy)—that are linked to later-life well-being. Sampson, Morenoff, and Gannon-Rowley (2002) show the importance of neighborhoods in promoting, or potentially inhibiting, social capital formation. For example, they show that crime rates are related to several predictors of social capital, such as neighborhood ties, patterns of interaction, social cohesion, and informal social control.

Promising Local Policy Interventions

Research from both Urban and others in the field suggests the following policies could help communities improve this predictor. These suggestions are not exhaustive, and communities should work with residents and leaders to identify solutions that are best suited to their local contexts.

• Encouraging the formation of neighborhood associations.
• Promoting civic engagement and participation, including by creating connections between neighborhood residents and city leaders. (This may also improve the Political Participation predictor.)
• Creating and maintaining parks and other public spaces such as libraries that give residents the opportunity to interact with one another. (This may also improve the Environmental Quality and Digital Access predictors.)
• Encouraging socializing across socioeconomic groups, including by designing public spaces intentionally and fostering connections across neighborhoods. 
• Supporting labor unions and the right to organize. (This may also improve the Political Participation predictor.)

Mobility Dimensions Engaged

• Economic success
• Dignity and belonging