Trends in Income and Wealth Inequality

Pew Research Center pairs Federal Reserve wealth statistics with a nationally representative survey of 5,166 U.S. adults conducted August 24–30, 2026. The report examines income and wealth inequality alongside how Americans explain those gaps and what they think should be done.

The wealth divide remains substantial, but the report notes that the gap was wider in 2016 than in 2022. Its survey captures both measured economic patterns and public views, offering a snapshot of how people understand distribution and opportunity.