---
title: "A Nation of “Haves” and “Have-Nots”?"
description: "Over the past two decades, a growing share of the public has come to the view that American society is divided into two groups, the “haves” and the “have-nots.” Today, Americans are split evenly on the two-class question with as many saying the country is divided along economic lines as say this is not the […]"
date: "2007-09-13"
authors:
  - name: "Pew Research Center"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2007/09/13/a-nation-of-haves-and-have-nots/"
categories:
  - "Personal Finances"
---

# A Nation of “Haves” and “Have-Nots”?

Over the past two decades, a growing share of the public has come to the view that American society is divided into two groups, the "haves" and the "have-nots." Today, Americans are split evenly on the two-class question with as many saying the country is divided along economic lines as say this is not the case (48% each). In sharp contrast, in 1988, 71% rejected this notion, while just 26% saw a divided nation.

Of equal importance, the number of Americans who see themselves among the "have-nots" of society has doubled over the past two decades, from 17% in 1988 to 34% today. In 1988, far more Americans said that, if they had to choose, they probably were among the "haves" (59%) than the "have-nots" (17%). Today, this gap is far narrower (45% "haves" vs. 34% "have-nots").

[Read the full analysis at PewResearch.org](https://www.pewresearch.org/2007/09/13/a-nation-of-haves-and-havenots/)