Key stats, graphs, and maps on economic and social policy
Data Cards
The current federal prison population is more than 218,000
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has experienced an almost tenfold increase in its population since 1980.
57%: Average decline in uninsurance rates in seven cities in states that expanded Medicaid
In seven cities in states that did not expand Medicaid, the average decline was only 30 percent.
In 2011, 18% of all workers worked for themselves and had no employees
Sole proprietors tend to have worse economic outcomes than wage-and-salary workers, but employees in family businesses do better.
About 30% of young people ages 16–18 who left school without a high school diploma are working
They are disproportionately male, Hispanic, and not living with a parent. Most left school before high school or in 12th grade.
57% of student debt holders are worried they may be unable to repay
Women, the underemployed, and people with low incomes or financially dependent children are more likely to have repayment anxiety.
2 of the 30 fastest growing occupations require a bachelor’s degree for an entry-level position
But jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree are projected to grow faster than overall job growth over the next 10 years.
