Speaker
Description
This study utilizes the Korea Labor Panel to explore how neighborhood characteristics moderate intergenerational mobility of income and assets in South Korea. We employ moderation analysis using MPLUS to examine the interaction between parental socioeconomic status and neighborhood factors, such as average income, wealth distribution, and housing stability. The findings indicate that high-income neighborhoods and equitable wealth distribution reduce the persistence of economic inequality, thereby fostering greater intergenerational mobility. Conversely, housing instability exacerbates economic persistence by limiting access to upward mobility pathways. Socioeconomic conditions of neighborhoods, including income levels and educational resources, play a significant role in facilitating intergenerational mobility, while housing quality and regional disparities in opportunity structures do not appear to have the same impact. Moreover, the results highlight the nuanced role of environmental factors, with indicators like housing affordability and neighborhood stability influencing mobility differently across regional contexts. For instance, resource-rich neighborhoods provide better educational opportunities, improving children's outcomes, whereas areas with concentrated disadvantages may amplify economic stagnation. Policy implications include targeted investments in regional economic and housing policies, such as equitable wealth redistribution, affordable housing initiatives, and the enhancement of educational resources. By addressing the structural factors limiting mobility, these interventions can reduce socioeconomic inequality and foster upward mobility across generations. This study underscores the critical role of neighborhood environments in mediating the effects of intergenerational economic mobility and offers actionable insights for policymakers.
| Keywords | Intergenerational Economic Mobility; Neighborhood Effect; Socioeconomic Inequality |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
