INDICATORS: ECONOMY

2009

As late as 1976, the richest 1 percent of the country took home about 9 percent of the total national income. By 2006, they were pocketing more than 20 percent. Top 1% share of total income: 24% in the 1930s, 8% in the 1960s

2008 loss of jobs was the greatest since the end of World War II

2008

Number of manufacturing jobs lost since 2000: 3.78 million

Increase in number of unemployed workers from 2001 to 2008: 4 million

2009 unemployment level highest since 1992.

Decline in median household income 2000-2007: $1571

Minimum wage as a percent of average wage: down from the 1950s

Real wage of average worker: lowest since 1973

Top 1% share of the wealth: 39%, up from 29% in the 1970s, 36% in the 1930s

CEO pay as a percent of average worker's pay: 300 times, up from 24 times in the 1960s

Foreign debt as a percent of GDP: Up five times 1980s to present.

Older families with pensions: down over 50% since 1970s

Workers with defined benefit pensions: down by two thirds since 1970s

Savings rate: negative for first time since depression

Median rent: up one third in last decade

New home building: lowest since 1991

Child poverty rate: up since 1970s

Black, latino, senior poverty rate: down since 1970s

Number of women owned businesses: up over 50% in decade

Number of MBAs issues: up over three times since 1970s