Social mobility refers to the ability of an individual or group to move up or down the social ladder within a society. It measures how easily one can change their social status during their lifetime.
Related terms
Upward Mobility: The ability to improve one's social position by moving into higher levels of society.
Downward Mobility: The opposite of upward mobility; it refers to a decrease in one's social standing.
Meritocracy: A societal structure where advancement is based on individual merit rather than inherited privilege.