More than a third of Britons say they have changed social class, according to a new study by Attest, a research firm. The survey also found that 6 million people—about 9% of the population—consider themselves to belong to more than one social category, a phenomenon researchers are calling ‘polyclass.’

Upper-middle and upper-class respondents were most likely to identify as polyclass, while working-class individuals were the least likely to report any change in class or multiple class identities. Among working-class respondents, 70% said they remained in the same social category they were born into, highlighting a persistent gap in perceived social mobility.

The Attest survey sampled over 2,000 adults in the UK and used a seven-tier social class model to categorize respondents. The model included classes ranging from ‘hard-pressed’ (lowest) to ‘elite’ (highest). Researchers noted that those in higher social classes were more than twice as likely to report multiple class identities compared to those in lower classes.

Class mobility linked to education and income

The study suggests that education and income levels play significant roles in perceived class mobility. Respondents with university degrees were 40% more likely to say they had moved social classes compared to those without higher education. Similarly, individuals earning over £50,000 annually were nearly three times as likely to report class changes than those earning under £20,000.

Researchers attributed this trend to greater access to opportunities in higher social strata, including networking, career advancement, and social capital. Meanwhile, working-class respondents cited financial constraints and limited networking opportunities as primary barriers to upward mobility.

Regional differences in class perception

The survey also revealed regional disparities in how Britons perceive their social class. Londoners were the most likely to report class changes, with 42% saying they had moved social classes. In contrast, just 25% of respondents in the North East of England reported any change in class.

These regional differences may reflect economic disparities across the UK, with London’s high cost of living and competitive job market potentially driving perceptions of mobility. Meanwhile, areas with lower economic activity and fewer high-paying jobs may contribute to stagnant class perceptions among working-class residents.

What the findings mean for social policy

The survey’s results highlight the complex nature of social class in modern Britain, where economic and educational opportunities often dictate perceived mobility. Experts argue that policies aimed at reducing regional inequality and improving access to education could help bridge the gap in perceived class mobility.

Attest researchers noted that the rise of ‘polyclass’ identities reflects a growing recognition of social fluidity, even as traditional class boundaries remain rigid for many. The findings underscore the need for further study into the factors that influence class perception and mobility in the UK.

As Britain continues to grapple with economic inequality, these insights could inform debates on social welfare, education reform, and regional development policies.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: The Guardian
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 09:00 UTC
  • Category: Politics
  • Topics: #guardian · #politics · #britons · #polyclass · #more

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

Pela primeira vez em décadas, um terço dos britânicos admite ter mudado de classe social, segundo pesquisa da Attest, revelando uma transformação silenciosa nas estruturas que definem o sucesso no Reino Unido. O estudo, que ouviu milhares de cidadãos, mostra ainda que os grupos tradicionalmente mais abastados são os que mais se identificam como “policlasse”, um conceito que desafia a rigidez das hierarquias sociais.

No Brasil, onde a mobilidade social sempre foi um tema central — especialmente após programas como o Bolsa Família e o crescimento da classe média na última década —, a notícia ressoa como um espelho do que poderia estar acontecendo em terras nacionais. Embora o país ainda enfrente desigualdades profundas, a noção de que a classe social não é mais um destino fixo ganha força, seja pelo acesso à educação, pela ascensão profissional ou até mesmo pelas mudanças culturais. Especialistas brasileiros já discutem como a fluidez das classes pode redefinir políticas públicas, desde a tributação até a oferta de serviços básicos.

O fenômeno levanta uma pergunta inevitável: se até os britânicos, com sua sociedade historicamente estratificada, começam a questionar as barreiras de classe, como o Brasil — ainda marcado por abismos sociais — vai lidar com essa nova realidade nos próximos anos?

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

El 33% de los británicos afirma haber cambiado de clase social, según un reciente estudio de Attest, un hallazgo que desafía percepciones tradicionales sobre la movilidad social en el Reino Unido. El informe revela además que los grupos de mayor estatus son los más propensos a autodefinirse como ‘policlase’, un concepto que refleja la fluidez entre estratos en una sociedad cada vez más compleja.

Este sondeo, realizado por la plataforma de investigación de mercados Attest, arroja luz sobre un fenómeno en ascenso: la percepción de movilidad social, incluso en un país con históricas barreras de clase. Para los hispanohablantes, especialmente en contextos con desigualdades estructurales similares, el estudio invita a reflexionar sobre cómo se mide y vive la clase social en distintas culturas. La idea de ‘policlase’ —que rompe con categorías rígidas— podría ser un reflejo de cambios globales en las economías occidentales, donde el empleo precario y los nuevos modelos laborales difuminan fronteras tradicionales.