Middle Class

Middle Class, in sociology, originally referring to the occupational group engaged in non-manual or “white-collar” work, as opposed to the working class (traditionally, comprising manual or “blue-collar” workers) and the upper class (comprising the elite professions and sections of society, such as the aristocracy; the property-owning classes and owners of large businesses; and largely those who possess considerable, often inherited, wealth). This stratum of industrial and post-industrial societies includes a growing number of occupations (for example, company owners and personal assistants). Among the United Kingdom population, the upper middle class (such as senior managers and professionals) forms around 10 per cent; the true middle class (such as teachers and administrators) around 20 per cent; and the lower middle class, traditionally known as the petit bourgeoisie (small-business people, junior office workers), 20 per cent. Combining all of these sub-sectors, this makes the middle class the largest class in British society. See also Social Mobility; Status.