Plus, Latinos and colorism, self-employment amid the pandemic and rising retirement rates among older Americans
November 6, 2021 The latest findings from Pew Research Center · Subscribe ↗
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![A bar chart showing that American tech, entertainment and military are seen in high regard]() The U.S. is seen positively in 17 advanced economies for its technology, entertainment, military and universities, but negatively for its health care system, discrimination and the state of its democracy. Pluralities in most places surveyed say that the U.S. standard of living is average compared with other developed nations. Americans, for their part, also see strengths and weaknesses in their society.
![A bar chart showing that for U.S. Latinos, skin color shapes life experiences]() Skin color is seen by Latinos as an important factor affecting their lives and life chances, according to the latest installment in the Center's long-running National Survey of Latinos. Around six-in-ten Hispanic adults (62%) say having a darker skin color hurts Hispanics’ ability to get ahead in the U.S. today at least a little. A similar share (59%) says having a lighter skin color helps Hispanics get ahead. And 57% say skin color shapes their daily life experiences a lot or some.
![Sal Bademci works on a customer at his Patchogue, New York, barbershop in August 2021.]() The COVID-19 recession had a similar impact on employment levels among both those who are and are not self-employed. However, the recovery has been stronger for self-employed workers. At the same time, hiring by the self-employed has fallen since 2019, with the cutbacks emanating mainly from businesses run by men. The COVID-19 recession and gradual labor market recovery has been accompanied by an increase in retirement among older U.S. adults. As of the third quarter of 2021, 50.3% of U.S. adults ages 55 and older said they were out of the labor force due to retirement, up from 48.1% two years prior. Among 65- to 74-year-olds, 66.9% were retired, up from 64.0%. Support Pew Research CenterIn times of uncertainty, good decisions demand good data. Please support Pew Research Center with a contribution on the Center’s behalf to our parent organization, The Pew Charitable Trusts. |
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Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank. As a neutral source of data and analysis, Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. © 2021 Pew Research Center |
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