National Trends
In 2023, the national opportunity score was 51.9 out of a possible 100 (see Figure 1). This represents a decrease of 1.3 points—down 2.4 percent from 53.2 at the last public Opportunity Index report, which presented findings from the 2019 Index. The decrease was driven by declines in the Health (-8.8 points) and Education (-2.1 points) dimensions. Increases in the Economy dimension (2.4 points) and the Community dimension (3.4 points) over the same period (2019-2023) attenuated the overall decline in the national opportunity score. Substantial declines in the Health dimension are largely responsible for the decrease in overall opportunity: This dimension has declined consistently year-over-year since its peak of 55.5 in 2017 (data from 2015). It reached its lowest level of 43.2 in 2023 (data from 2021).
Historically and currently, Opportunity in the United States in not been equally distributed. Disparities across the various dimensions of Opportunity stem from inequities embedded in systems that shape Opportunity from their inception.
Across the 11 indicators we examined, Asian and White people had the most systemic access to opportunity in 2023. Broadly, Asian and White people in the United States exist within unique sociocultural, sociopolitical, and historical contexts that positively influence their access to opportunity and subsequent long-term outcomes—as measured by our select group of indicators—in comparison to people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Black and Latino families face higher maternal and infant mortality and have less access to quality education, health, housing and jobs that can sustain families.
In the 2023 Opportunity Index Brief, we further explore racial and ethnic disparities in Index indicators at a national level.
| Indicator | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | |||||
| Banking Institutions (commercial banks, savings institutions, and credit unions per 10,000 residents) | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |
| Households with a Broadband Internet Subscription (%) | 83.80% | 85.30% | 86.40% | 85.20% | 90.10% |
| Households Spending Less than 30% of Income on Housing (%) | 68.26% | 68.09% | 69.39% | 68.71% | 68.17% |
| Median Household Income (2010 $) | $53,699 | $53,885 | $56,512 | $54,595 | $57,865 |
| 80/20 Ratio (Ratio of household income at the 80th percentile to that at the 20th percentile) | 4.92% | 4.93% | 4.85% | 4.89% | 4.96% |
| Poverty (% of population below the poverty line) | 13.40% | 13.10% | 12.34% | 12.80% | 12.80% |
| Poverty (% of American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic population below the poverty line) | 25.40% | 23.70% | 23.00% | 24.10% | 21.40% |
| Poverty (% of Asian, non-Hispanic population below the poverty line) | 11.10% | 10.80% | 9.60% | 10.60% | 10.20% |
| Poverty (% of black, non-Hispanic population below the poverty line) | 23.00% | 22.50% | 21.20% | 22.10% | 21.80% |
| Poverty (% of female population below the poverty line) | 14.50% | 14.30% | 13.50% | 14.00% | 13.90% |
| Poverty (% of Hispanic population below the poverty line) | 19.40% | 18.80% | 17.20% | 18.30% | 17.50% |
| Poverty (% of male population below the poverty line) | 12.20% | 11.90% | 11.10% | 11.60% | 11.60% |
| Poverty (% of multiracial, non-Hispanic population below the poverty line) | 16.70% | 15.90% | 15.20% | 15.10% | 15.40% |
| Poverty (% of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic population below the poverty line) | 18.30% | 16.70% | 16.50% | 16.80% | 17.60% |
| Poverty (% of another race, non-Hispanic population below the poverty line) | 20.30% | 20.10% | 18.30% | 19.70% | 19.00% |
| Poverty (% of white, non-Hispanic population below the poverty line) | 11.10% | 10.90% | 10.30% | 10.60% | 9.80% |
| Economy Score | 57 | 57 | 58 | 59 | |
| Unemployment Rate (%) | 3.30% | 5.70% | 3.30% | 3.10% | |
| Unemployment Rate (%, Asian, non-Hispanic population) | 2.10% | 14.30% | 5.60% | 2.90% | 2.70% |
| Unemployment Rate (%, black, non-Hispanic population) | 6.20% | 16.40% | 9.40% | 5.60% | 4.40% |
| Unemployment Rate (%, female population) | 3.10% | 15.70% | 5.40% | 3.10% | 2.90% |
| Unemployment Rate (%, Hispanic population) | 3.70% | 18.50% | 7.50% | 3.80% | 4.00% |
| Unemployment Rate (%, male population) | 3.60% | 13.30% | 6.00% | 3.60% | 3.30% |
| Unemployment Rate (%, white, non-Hispanic population) | 2.90% | 13.80% | 5.00% | 2.90% | 2.80% |
| Education | |||||
| Associate's Degree or Higher (% of adults 25 and older) | 40 | 41 | 42 | 42 | 44 |
| Associate's Degree or Higher (% of adults 25 and older, Asian, non-Hispanic) | 61.10% | 63.20% | 64.80% | 67.30% | 67.60% |
| Associate's Degree or Higher (% of adults 25 and older, black, non-Hispanic) | 34.20% | 35.50% | 36.60% | 37.80% | 38.60% |
| Associate's Degree or Higher (% of adults 25 and older, female) | 46.10% | 46.60% | 47.70% | 49.50% | 50.40% |
| Associate's Degree or Higher (% of adults 25 and older, Hispanic) | 25.40% | 26.60% | 26.80% | 29.60% | 29.70% |
| Associate's Degree or Higher (% of adults 25 and older, male) | 43.00% | 43.80% | 44.70% | 46.00% | 46.20% |
| Associate's Degree or Higher (% of adults 25 and older, white, non-Hispanic) | 45.00% | 45.60% | 46.70% | 48.30% | 48.70% |
| On-Time High School Graduation (% of freshmen who graduate in 4 years) | 85 | 85 | 86 | 83 | 83 |
| On-Time High School Graduation (% of Asian or Pacific Islander freshmen who graduate in 4 years) | 91.20% | 92.20% | 92.60% | 92.50% | |
| On-Time High School Graduation (% of black, non-Hispanic freshmen who graduate in 4 years) | 77.80% | 79.00% | 79.60% | 81.10% | |
| On-Time High School Graduation (% of freshmen who graduate in 4 years, female) | |||||
| On-Time High School Graduation (% of Hispanic freshmen who graduate in 4 years) | 80.00% | 81.00% | 81.70% | 82.50% | |
| On-Time High School Graduation (% of freshmen who graduate in 4 years, male) | |||||
| On-Time High School Graduation (% of white, non-Hispanic freshmen who graduate in 4 years) | 88.60% | 89.10% | 89.40% | 90.20% | |
| Preschool (% ages 3 and 4 in school) | 48.00% | 48.20% | 48.94% | 47.30% | 40.20% |
| Preschool (% ages 3 and 4 in school, Asian, non-Hispanic) | 56.50% | 50.90% | 58.30% | 40.50% | 59.00% |
| Preschool (% ages 3 and 4 in school, black, non-Hispanic) | 57.70% | 54.50% | 55.40% | 40.10% | 46.70% |
| Preschool (% ages 3 and 4 in school, female) | 54.10% | 54.40% | 54.00% | 41.90% | 48.10% |
| Preschool (% ages 3 and 4 in school, Hispanic) | 47.90% | 47.90% | 49.80% | 32.90% | 41.80% |
| Preschool (% ages 3 and 4 in school, male) | 53.40% | 53.60% | 53.30% | 38.80% | 52.60% |
| Preschool (% ages 3 and 4 in school, white, non-Hispanic) | 53.40% | 54.70% | 52.60% | 40.00% | 50.90% |
| Education Score | 56 | 58 | 55 | 54 | |
| Community | |||||
| Incidents of Violent Crime Reported to Law Enforcement Agencies (per 100,000 population) | 383 | 369 | 381 | 399 | 387 |
| Youth (16-24) Not In School and Not Working (%) | 11.45% | 11.17% | 10.66% | 11.54% | 12.06% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native, Non-Hispanic Youth (16-24), Not In School and Not Working (%) | 21.90% | 21.10% | 19.40% | 21.40% | 18.80% |
| Asian, Non-Hispanic Youth (16-24), Not In School and Not Working (%) | 6.70% | 6.30% | 5.80% | 6.60% | 7.30% |
| Black, Non-Hispanic Youth (16-24), Not In School and Not Working (%) | 17.70% | 17.20% | 16.50% | 17.50% | 18.80% |
| Female Youth (16-24), Not In School and Not Working (%) | 11.10% | 10.80% | 10.30% | 11.20% | 11.50% |
| Hispanic Youth (16-24), Not In School and Not Working (%) | 13.20% | 12.80% | 12.10% | 13.20% | 14.00% |
| Male Youth (16-24), Not In School and Not Working (%) | 11.80% | 11.50% | 11.00% | 11.90% | 12.60% |
| Multiracial, Non-Hispanic Youth (16-24), Not In School and Not Working (%) | 11.80% | 11.30% | 10.90% | 12.10% | 13.30% |
| Youth of Another Race, Non-Hispanic (16-24), Not In School and Not Working (%) | 13.50% | 13.60% | 12.60% | 14.10% | 14.50% |
| White, Non-Hispanic Youth (16-24), Not In School and Not Working (%) | 10.10% | 9.90% | 9.50% | 10.20% | 10.00% |
| Grocery Stores and Produce Vendors (per 10,000 population) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| People Incarcerated in Jail or Prison (per 100,000 population 18 and older) | 863 | 810 | 660 | 680 | |
| People Incarcerated in Jail or Prison (per 100,000 population 18 and older, black, non-Hispanic) | 2,330 | 2,240 | 2,200 | 1,810 | 1,850 |
| People Incarcerated in Jail or Prison (per 100,000 population 18 and older, female) | 170 | 170 | 160 | 110 | 120 |
| People Incarcerated in Jail or Prison (per 100,000 population 18 and older, Hispanic) | 1,090 | 1,050 | 1,000 | 810 | 810 |
| People Incarcerated in Jail or Prison (per 100,000 population 18 and older, male) | 1,570 | 1,540 | 1,500 | 1,230 | 1,270 |
| People Incarcerated in Jail or Prison (per 100,000 population 18 and older, Other) | 980 | 950 | 920 | 750 | 740 |
| People Incarcerated in Jail or Prison (per 100,000 population 18 and older, white, non-Hispanic) | 500 | 490 | 480 | 380 | 410 |
| Youth (16-24) Not In School and Not Working (#) | 4,501,815 | 4,353,333 | 4,114,450 | 4,476,976 | 4,680,891 |
| Primary Care Physicians (per 100,000 population) | 75 | 77 | 76 | 75 | |
| Community Score | 48 | 50 | 50 | 51 | |
| Volunteered in Past Year (% of adults 18 and older) | 27.52% | 29.89% | 26.45% | 26.45% | |
| Volunteered in Past Year (% of adults 18 and older, American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic) | 21.17% | 23.37% | 23.37% | 20.75% | 20.75% |
| Volunteered in Past Year (% of adults 18 and older, Asian, non-Hispanic) | 19.60% | 22.81% | 22.81% | 19.23% | 19.23% |
| Volunteered in Past Year (% of adults 18 and older, black, non-Hispanic) | 22.80% | 23.66% | 23.66% | 20.77% | 20.77% |
| Volunteered in Past Year (% of adults 18 and older, female) | 30.80% | 33.22% | 33.22% | 29.20% | 29.20% |
| Volunteered in Past Year (% of adults 18 and older, Hispanic) | 17.02% | 18.38% | 18.38% | 15.44% | 15.44% |
| Volunteered in Past Year (% of adults 18 and older, male) | 24.00% | 26.34% | 26.34% | 23.51% | 23.51% |
| Volunteered in Past Year (% of adults 18 and older, multiracial, non-Hispanic) | 28.18% | 32.52% | 32.52% | 29.34% | 29.34% |
| Volunteered in Past Year (% of adults 18 and older, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic) | 29.75% | 25.77% | 25.77% | 24.25% | 24.25% |
| Volunteered in Past Year (% of adults 18 and older, white, non-Hispanic) | 31.70% | 34.85% | 34.85% | 31.21% | 31.21% |
| Voter Registration (% of the population 18 and older registered to vote) | 62.75% | 64.95% | 64.00% | 70.90% | |
| Voter Registration (% of the population 18 and older registered to vote, Asian) | 38.30% | 41.70% | 41.70% | 41.70% | 44.80% |
| Voter Registration (% of the population 18 and older registered to vote, Black) | 62.75% | 62.45% | 62.45% | 62.45% | 62.45% |
| Voter Registration (% of the population 18 and older registered to vote, female) | 64.50% | 65.60% | 65.60% | 65.60% | 66.30% |
| Voter Registration (% of the population 18 and older registered to vote, Hispanic) | 38.55% | 41.00% | 41.00% | 41.00% | 42.40% |
| Voter Registration (% of the population 18 and older registered to vote, male) | 60.90% | 62.30% | 62.30% | 62.30% | 63.50% |
| Voter Registration (% of the population 18 and older registered to vote, white, non-Hispanic) | 65.00% | 66.40% | 66.40% | 66.40% | 67.35% |
| Health | |||||
| Low Birthweight (% of infants born weighing less than 5.5 pounds) | 8.27% | 1.60% | 8.31% | 8.24% | 8.51% |
| Low Birthweight (% of infants born weighing less than 5.5 pounds, American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic) | 8.31% | 7.90% | 8.05% | 7.90% | 8.24% |
| Low Birthweight (% of infants born weighing less than 5.5 pounds, Asian, non-Hispanic) | 8.50% | 8.60% | 8.68% | 8.54% | 9.23% |
| Low Birthweight (% of infants born weighing less than 5.5 pounds, black, non-Hispanic) | 13.37% | 13.70% | 13.76% | 13.76% | 14.13% |
| Low Birthweight (% of infants born weighing less than 5.5 pounds, female) | 9.00% | 9.00% | 9.05% | 8.97% | 9.28% |
| Low Birthweight (% of infants born weighing less than 5.5 pounds, Hispanic) | 7.43% | 7.50% | 7.55% | 7.39% | 7.82% |
| Low Birthweight (% of infants born weighing less than 5.5 pounds, male) | 7.60% | 7.60% | 7.60% | 7.53% | 7.78% |
| Low Birthweight (% of infants born weighing less than 5.5 pounds, multiracial, non-Hispanic) | 8.86% | 8.90% | 9.04% | 8.88% | 9.16% |
| Low Birthweight (% of infants born weighing less than 5.5 pounds, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic) | 7.70% | 8.60% | 7.48% | 8.29% | 9.15% |
| Low Birthweight (% of infants born weighing less than 5.5 pounds, white, non-Hispanic) | 7.10% | 7.10% | 7.06% | 6.97% | 7.23% |
| Deaths due to Drug/Alcohol Poisoning or Suicide (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 residents) | 35 | 34 | 35 | 41 | 46 |
| Deaths due to Drug/Alcohol Poisoning or Suicide (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 residents, American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic) | 32 | 33 | 36 | 44 | 54 |
| Deaths due to Drug/Alcohol Poisoning or Suicide (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 residents, black, non-Hispanic) | 26 | 28 | 32 | 43 | 52 |
| Deaths due to Drug/Alcohol Poisoning or Suicide (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 residents, female) | 19 | 19 | 19 | 21 | 24 |
| Deaths due to Drug/Alcohol Poisoning or Suicide (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 residents, Hispanic) | 17 | 18 | 20 | 25 | 29 |
| Deaths due to Drug/Alcohol Poisoning or Suicide (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 residents, male) | 52 | 51 | 52 | 62 | 68 |
| Deaths due to Drug/Alcohol Poisoning or Suicide (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 residents, Multiple Races) | 15 | 20 | 22 | ||
| Deaths due to Drug/Alcohol Poisoning or Suicide (age-adjusted rate per 100,000 residents, white, non-Hispanic) | 39 | 38 | 39 | 44 | 49 |
| Health Score | 52 | 49 | 47 | 43 | |
| Lack of Health Insurance (% of the population under age 65 without health insurance coverage) | 8.70% | 10.88% | 10.81% | 10.23% | 10.21% |
| Lack of Health Insurance (% of the population under age 65 without health insurance coverage, American Indian/Alaska Native) | 19.30% | 19.10% | 19.10% | 19.00% | 19.60% |
| Lack of Health Insurance (% of the population under age 65 without health insurance coverage, Asian) | 6.60% | 6.30% | 6.60% | 6.40% | 5.90% |
| Lack of Health Insurance (% of the population under age 65 without health insurance coverage, black) | 10.00% | 10.10% | 10.10% | 9.90% | 9.60% |
| Lack of Health Insurance (% of the population under age 65 without health insurance coverage, female) | 7.80% | 7.90% | 8.20% | 7.80% | 7.60% |
| Lack of Health Insurance (% of the population under age 65 without health insurance coverage, Hispanic) | 17.80% | 17.90% | 18.70% | 17.70% | 17.70% |
| Lack of Health Insurance (% of the population under age 65 without health insurance coverage, male) | 9.80% | 9.90% | 10.20% | 9.70% | 9.70% |
| Lack of Health Insurance (% of the population under age 65 without health insurance coverage, multiracial) | 7.70% | 7.80% | 8.00% | 10.70% | 13.80% |
| Lack of Health Insurance (% of the population under age 65 without health insurance coverage, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander) | 12.30% | 10.80% | 10.40% | ||
| Lack of Health Insurance (% of the population under age 65 without health insurance coverage, another race) | 21.30% | 19.80% | 20.10% | ||
| Lack of Health Insurance (% of the population under age 65 without health insurance coverage, white, non-Hispanic) | 7.80% | 8.00% | 8.30% | 7.60% | 6.10% |
| Demographics | |||||
| Female Population (%) | 50.75% | 50.75% | 50.77% | 50.76% | 50.48% |
| Male Population (%) | 49.25% | 49.25% | 49.23% | 49.24% | 49.52% |
| Population (#) | 325,147,121 | 326,687,501 | 328,239,523 | 331,526,933 | 332,048,977 |
| American Indian/Alaska Native, Non-Hispanic Population (%) | 0.66% | 0.67% | 0.68% | 0.64% | 0.53% |
| Asian, Non-Hispanic Population (%) | 5.53% | 5.56% | 5.61% | 5.57% | 5.69% |
| Black, Non-Hispanic Population (%) | 12.32% | 12.32% | 12.37% | 12.25% | 11.83% |
| Hispanic Population (%) | 18.07% | 18.27% | 18.43% | 18.18% | 18.84% |
| Multiracial, Non-Hispanic Population (%) | 2.44% | 2.54% | 2.53% | 2.80% | 4.31% |
| Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Non-Hispanic Population (%) | 0.17% | 0.17% | 0.17% | 0.17% | 0.17% |
| Another Race, Non-Hispanic Population (%) | 0.26% | 0.25% | 0.26% | 0.31% | 0.56% |
| White, Non-Hispanic Population (%) | 60.57% | 60.22% | 59.95% | 60.09% | 58.08% |
