A weekly presentation of downloadable charts and short analyses designed to graphically illustrate important economic issues. Updated every Wednesday.

Snapshot for February 10, 1999

Since 1979 wages have eroded to the point that even someone working full time and year-round may not earn enough to lift a family of four out of poverty. From 1979 to 1997, the share of all workers earning such low wages has risen to 28.6%.

Certain groups are more likely to receive low wages than others. Women are more likely to receive poverty-level wages than are men, and blacks and Hispanic workers are more likely to receive them than are whites.

Source: EPI, “Prosperity Gap.”

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