How Income Inequality Became A Big Issue Among Asian Americans

The Asian American Pacific Islander population is extremely diverse, culturally and economically. According to a recent analysis by the Pew Research Center, Asian household incomes range from $44,400 to $120,000. Subgroups at the low end aren’t represented by the median data. Here’s a closer look at the growing income gap among Asian Americans, how it started and what’s next.

CHAPTERS
0:00 -- Introduction
1:30:13 -- Immigration
3:56:03 -- Barriers
6:26:14 -- Aggregated data
8:55:10 -- What’s next?

About CNBC: From 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more.

Connect with CNBC News Online

#CNBC

How Income Inequality Became A Big Issue Among Asian Americans

[iszotic]

Asia is just too big and diverse, putting all in the same bag is wrong.

[SalvadorSTMZ]

Yes Asian is the most divided because they are the largest group of people on earth. India and China are completely different.

[shamtradtam]

Putting people from all over Asia in a single racial group is a big mistake. Most humans live in Asia (~60%). They're unbelievably diverse in literally everything. I, as an Indian, don't belong to the same racial group as South East Asians, East Asian, North Asians or Middle easterners

[izdabombz]

I’m Asian American that was on both sides of income gap. I would say the best investment I ever made was my education. Worked full time over 8 years Finished my bachelor at 31 and the accelerated my life 10 fold in terms of income. Was able to buy a house in a year.

[brianliao]

From an Asian eyes, it takes a hard working parent(s), sacrificing his/her life to build a better future for the second generation. So usually the results show in gen2, gen3. The family value and group pride are unique in Asia not common in the western society. combining the two factors, the study should focus on working opportunities not inequality.

[jackwillison]

The (TACRS) estimates that the average Baby Boomer has $202k saved up for retirement. According to the 4% Rule, this would result in a $8k annual retirement income. do I pull cash from my SIPP and buy a house, or spread my money in stocks for better cashflow?

[freddthurman]

As a homegrown Asian. I still wonder why American media is always talking about Black/White/Asian income inequality. Why won't they talk about income inequality in general without talking about race?

[earlh]

These stats never made sense to me as an outsider. Why would you categorize people based on the continent of origin?
Indians and Japanese, Spanish and Ukrainian, Nigerian and Ethiopian, these are vastly different people, with different cultures, struggles, and even genetics.
Just address inequality as a whole, this just creates more stigmatization.

[pikachuthunderbolt]

from when Indians and Chinese are mixed in same group
Asia itself is so diverse, categorising whole Asia on same basis doesn't suit .

[manish.p]

Most Indians come to USA as trained professionals, I think that's the reason for a great avg income

[stanyoung]

The saddest thing is when she said my life is not mine to live

[thinkofteddy]

Asians in general are tough people. We'd do everything to provide food and education to our family.

[PaulHo]

Damn. When Yin said "my life is not mine to live" I could feel the global guilt and filial piety. Parents and children just become each other's burdens.

[enginerd]

"My life is not mine to live" That's a sense of responsibility that not enough people are willing to take up...

[annatar]

Indians are so successful because their top priorities are education and family

[rbd]

The issue is that Asian is a gigantic cluster, not fair to use for consolidation purposes

[thanh]

As an Asian Canadian I just want to say that this article was a complete waste of 10 minutes. “Low skilled immigrants get low paid jobs while highly skilled immigrants get higher paying jobs”....really? Thanks for the insight 🤦🏻‍♂️.

[jeremyisjeremymartin]

Filipino and Indian immigrants usually come to the US with some degree of education, typically a college degree, and a good knowledge of written and spoken English. These two things give them a good headstart in the US. But it’s really the hard work, determination and living for family that set asians apart from other households. The reason most Asians migrate to the US is because they want a better life for their family. I would do everything to provide a good future for my parents, siblings and kids, no matter the cost

[watomb]

Most Asians I meet work hard, don’t complain, an focus on children education. Asian parents really sacrifice and almost always the children are very successful. To me the article is playing games with statistics and trying to find a problem. Is it really just another article on labor classes or income inequality?

[markolivia]

I will say income inequality is never a problem because majority depends on pay jobs and feel relaxed in it. Some people sees that traveling to Europe countries will make them rich