Which of the following social classes is declining in size?

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Starting with a broad view of social stratification, we consider how class sizes change over time in many economies. 
Option 1: upper class. This option is often associated with growth in wealth concentration—more resources accrue to a smaller share of the population—which can lead to the upper class growing in size or at least becoming more influential. In many contexts, the upper class shrinks as a share of the population is not the normative trend; rather, it tends to hold or increase its relative share, depending on economic conditions. This makes 'upper class' unlikely to be the correct choice for a class that is declining in size, though in some periods its absolute numbers might rise while its share falls due to population growth. 
Option 2: middle class. In numerous sociological accounts, the middle class is reported to be shrinking in size as wages stagnate, inequality widens, and the middle-rung of the income ladder compresses or migrates toward either the upper or lower classes. This makes the statement that the middle class is declining in size plausible and aligns with common observations in many economies. 
Option 3: lower middle class. Similar to the middle class, the lower middle class can also shrink as economic pressures push households toward either lower-income classifications or upward into the middle-capitalized strata, especially when costs of living rise faster than incomes. If data show a reduction in the share of households in the lower-middle category, this option would be supported. 
Option 4: working class. The fate of the working class is more context-dependent. In some periods or places, the working class may hold steady or even grow in absolute numbers due to population growth, while its share may decline or remain volatile due to economic restructuring and automation. Therefore, without specific contextual data, this option is less reliably identified as declining in size across general discussions. 
Overall, the statements that the middle class and the lower middle class are declining in size reflect common patterns discussed in contemporary social stratification research, whereas the upper class often does not decline as a share, and the working class’ trajectory is more variable depending on the context.

Sociology Week 4 Final Exam Sociology Week 4 Final Exam

Which of the following social classes is declining in size?

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