The 2017 Index of Culture and Opportunity evaluates a range of factors needed to sustain freedom and opportunity in America. Through charts that track social and economic changes and expert commentary that explains the trends, the Index reports on important indicators in American society and analyzes what they mean for our future.
2017 Index of Culture and Opportunity
2017 Index of
Culture and Opportunity
The Social and Economic Trends that Shape America
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Culture
Poverty & Dependence
General Opportunity
About the Index
The Index takes stock of the cultural and economic factors needed to sustain freedom and opportunity.
Supplementary Statistical Analysis
Learn MoreFor each indicator, the latest figure and its one-year, five-year, and 10-year changes are easy to understand in terms of raw data, but we need supplementary statistical analysis to determine whether its observed trend may be merely random variation in the data.
Indicator Sources
Learn MoreIndicators included in this report are illustrative and not a direct or exhaustive measure of culture and opportunity.
2017 Index Editorial Team
Meet the TeamLearn more about the editorial team from Heritage's Institute for Family, Community, and Opportunity.
About The Heritage Foundation
Learn MoreFounded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institution—a think tank—whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.