In this article 
  • What is social status?  
  • Why might social status make a difference to your life? 
  • How is social status related to health and health inequalities? 
  • Is there evidence that higher social status leads to a longer life? 
  • How can we offset or limit the disadvantages of being of lower status?  
  • Key points to consider 
What is social status?   

Social status is our social or professional standing1. This is sometimes also described as our socioeconomic status. It can be divided into two categories:  

  1. Our birth status. This is also called inherited status or ascribed status. For example, being born into royalty or aristocracy, you would start life with a high status. Also includes appearance, family background, an person’s name or ethnic origin, and inherited wealth. 
  2. Our own success. This is our achieved status. This depends on what we achieve in our lives, such as through education; our occupation; activities in our families and communities; activities in other fields, such as sport, music or volunteering; and possibly even by who we marry. 

However, how status works in practice is not necessarily straightforward. Although these factors can contribute to status, their importance might differ across continents, countries and cultures. For instance, in countries with significant economic disparities, income is usually observed as a social status determinant over all factors2. 

In contrast, a plumber or electrician (blue collar worker) in the UK may earn more than a nurse or junior doctor (white collar worker) but is often seen as having lower social status. This suggests that our views of social status are stronger than our views of economic status. 

Also, while some societies value their older age population (for example, the Japanese), in other societies getting old generally results in a loss of social status and respect, as particularly seen in Western countries. 

Group of people

Why might social status make a difference to your life? 

People of higher social status are wealthier, better educated, live in affluent areas, are usually in white collar careers, and are generally more well off than lower status people3. In contrast, lower social status is associated with limited opportunities to increase their standing in society4. 

Many factors of our daily life can affect how others perceive our social status and therefore how they treat us. This can cause stress and emotional distress and result in life inequalities. 

  • Appearance. A 2024 study reported biases among British people on appearances, particularly stereotypes regarding race and gender. The findings showed that the Black community, especially females, were perceived as being lower in status5. Facial features have also been shown to influence perceived social status6. 
  • Name. It has been reported by researchers studying discrimination and bias that there may be perceived bias that people with ethnic names are of lower socioeconomic status and social class, including lower educational attainment and income7. 
  • Accent. A 2024 meta-analysis study reported that people with non-standard accents were often at a disadvantage when seeking employment due to racial discrimination and prejudice. This is despite the fact that the applicant might be adequately qualified and/or experienced8. 
  • Employment opportunities. A 2022 longitudinal study observed that lower social status job search seekers were more likely to have lower job search success, lower perceived social support, and higher perceived financial hardship in comparison to higher social status people9. 
How is social status related to health and health inequalities? 

Research by Sir Michael Marmot, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London, an expert in health inequalities, has concluded that social status influences how long and well we live. He has proposed that the lower our status, the less control we have over our working lives, leading to greater stress, which in turn reduces the opportunities for social participation. He believes that this combination leads to less protection against illness10.    

In support of an effect of social status on health, lower social status has been shown to be associated with: 

  • A higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, especially in women11,12 
  • A higher risk for type 2 diabetes development - associated with a lack of social participation13 
  • A higher risk of infectious diseases, possibly due to an unhealthy lifestyle, environmental pollution and chronic comorbidities14 
Is there evidence that higher social status leads to a longer life? 

In 2025 the UK’s Office for National Statistics reported that the average life expectancy of people of high social status living in affluent areas was longer than in people of lower social status in deprived areas15.  

Males living in Hart (Hants), Wokingham (Berks) and Uttlesford (Essex) in the South of England had the longest average life expectancy of approximately 82.8 to 83.7 years. 

Females with the longest average longevity, 86.8 to 87.1 years, lived in the most affluent boroughs of London, Kensington and Chelsea, and Richmond upon Thames.  

In contrast, males with the shortest life expectancy resided in more deprived regions such as Blackpool (Lancashire) and Glasgow City (73.7 to 74.3 years). Likewise for females, who lived an average of 78.9 years in East Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire and Glasgow City, a difference of approximately 9-10 years. 

How can we offset or limit the disadvantages of being of lower status?  

There are several ways in which we can raise or compensate for our social status and improve our chance of living a longer and healthier life.  

Education 

Education is an important factor in minimising the inequality of lower social status16. A recent multi-cohort study that examined social mobility (the movement up and down the social status ladder) and health, found that higher levels of education and, to a lesser extent, wealth were both significantly associated with better physical and mental capabilities and healthy ageing. In addition, upward mobility in adulthood was shown to partially offset the lower social status of childhood17.  

However, not everyone has the same educational opportunities early in life. Findings from a 2025 paper reported a difference between countries and continents in how social status is affected by education, although generally those of higher social status performed better academically18. It suggested a students’ social status on academic achievement was stronger in regions of Europe, North America and Oceania, particularly for female students. However, the impact of the schools’ social status was more beneficial in regions of Africa, Asia and South America, particularly for male students. 

Nevertheless, the UK has many opportunities to return to education later in life as a mature student to gain or add to previously attained qualifications. These should be taken advantage of when possible. Better education can in turn lead to better employment opportunities and therefore income, and an improved social status. 

Personal achievements, skills and effort 

A great example of personal achievement is J.K. Rowling19. 

She graduated university before completing the Harry Potter novels while undergoing extreme hardship. Her mother died, causing her to move to Portugal where she got married, experienced domestic abuse, divorced and became a single mother. On return to the UK, she lived on government assistance (welfare) and worked in a low-income secretarial role, before undergoing teacher training and working as a teacher. 
While working, the first Harry Potter novel was published, in 1997, with the remaining six sequels published over the next 10 years with great success. The film adaptation of the first novel was released in 2001, with the rest following. Subsequently, through her skill and effort, she is now a billionaire and philanthropist and a widely recognised figure. 

Social connections and integration 

Being part of a social network may help protect us from poor health if we were born into low social status. A 2023 narrative review highlighted the association of poor social health (isolation, lack of support, loneliness) and an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and/or its risk factors20.  

As reported in a 2024 study of survey data, being socially active and having positive connections has substantial health benefits with a reduced decline in functional abilities and increased longevity21.  

Stable relationships (e.g. marriage)  

Healthy stable relationships, especially marriage, may help us live longer and healthier lives. A 2021 review examined how differences in social status affects romantic relationships and marriage22. Findings showed lower status couples are likely to cohabit and have children prior to marriage, have lower rates of marriage, suffer more abuse (i.e. physical, substance etc), have less loving and more hostile relationships, and are more likely to divorce. In contrast, higher social status couples usually postpone marriage and childbirth to invest in education and careers. They have more loving and satisfying, less hostile relationships resulting in high rates of marriage and lower risk for divorce. These findings suggest that higher social status results in happier marriages and better emotional and physical health. 

Volunteering 

Volunteering could benefit our social status by providing a new role and new social networks. A small case study of older Korean adults who were interviewed found that volunteering promoted the feeling of fulfilment, self-worth, and attainment of gratitude while also establishing connections with others23. 

In addition, a 2025 study reported that regular volunteering could positively slow our rate of biological ageing, which is based on genetic, behavioural and environmental factors24. This is more evident with retireees compared to working people. These findings suggest that volunteering could potentially delay the onset of numerous age-related conditions. 

Creative arts and cultural knowledge 

Taking part in artistic activities such as painting, crafts, film-making, cooking etc. can have beneficial effects on our health and wellbeing (creative health)25,26. For example, singing has been shown to be beneficial for respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dancing helps physical health, and music-making may slow cognitive decline26. Creative health is also associated with other positive outcomes such as reduced loneliness and depression. 

People who take part in creative activities are 38% more likely to report good health and 82% report better wellbeing26. 

In addition, participants of creative activities from low-income families have been reported to be three times more likely to get a degree and remain employed, while cultural education can help to build confidence, resilience, and emotional expression25,26. 

Key points to consider 

Changing our social status may not be easy, but being born into a family with low status does not have to be a life sentence. Health and life quality and expectancy can potentially be improved through upward social mobility via various factors including: 

  • Education 
  • Our achievements 
  • Positive social connections and integration into society 
  • Volunteering 
  • Being happily married 
  • Being involved in the creative arts 

Reviewed and updated by Mojitola Idowu, March 2026.

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References 
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