Variations in socio-economic standing
Information on the socioeconomic standing of each Asian group is provided in Table 3,
reflecting all group members in 1990 and group members in the 1st and 2nd generation in
1998-2000. Indians stand out in both years for their high level of education (measured for
people aged 25 and above), almost equivalent to a college degree for the average group
member. Most other groups are clustered together at about 14 years. Vietnamese, the newest
of the major Asian groups, are the exceptional case with only about a high school
education on average in both 1990 and 2000.
Table 3. Socioeconomic characteristics of Asians
|
Average Education |
% Unemployed |
% Below Poverty |
% Public Assistance |
Avg. Personal Income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1990,
all group members |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Chinese |
13.7 |
4.8% |
14.2% |
4.1% |
$14,445 |
| Filipinos |
13.5 |
5.0% |
5.9% |
3.9% |
$13,537 |
| Japanese |
13.6 |
2.6% |
7.1% |
1.4% |
$18,775 |
| Asian Indians |
15.2 |
5.7% |
9.8% |
2.1% |
$16,725 |
| Koreans |
13.5 |
5.1% |
13.9% |
3.4% |
$10,933 |
| Vietnamese |
12.1 |
8.4% |
25.5% |
10.9% |
$8,871 |
| Other
Asians |
12.6 |
8.3% |
29.5% |
11.5% |
$7,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1998-2000,
1st and 2nd generation only |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Chinese |
14.1 |
4.4% |
10.6% |
0.4% |
$22,915 |
| Filipinos |
13.9 |
4.7% |
5.8% |
0.8% |
$21,960 |
| Japanese |
14.3 |
1.1% |
12.6% |
0.0% |
$22,738 |
| Asian Indians |
15.6 |
3.6% |
8.7% |
0.1% |
$31,732 |
| Koreans |
14.1 |
3.8% |
10.8% |
0.4% |
$19,932 |
| Vietnamese |
12.1 |
3.0% |
17.1% |
1.9% |
$15,758 |
| Other
Asians |
13.2 |
5.7% |
24.7% |
4.8% |
$17,611 |
Other indicators confirm the weaker economic position of the Vietnamese. One is their
high unemployment in 1900 (though about average in 1998-2000 when compared only to 1st and
2nd generation members of other groups. They show the highest rates of poverty and receipt
of public assistance (though currently no Asian group is very dependent on public
assistance). And they have the lowest income levels in 1990 and in 2000. Many Vietnamese,
it should be remembered, were resettled in the United States as refugees. Their economic
situation continues to reflect this history.
|