A Better-Educated and More White-Collar Population
The U.S. population is becoming better educated. For example, in 2000, 84 percent of the U.S. population over age 25 had completed high school and 26 percent had completed college, compared with 69 percent and 17 percent in 1980. The rising number of educated people will lead to an increase in the demand for quality products including luxury hotels, travel, wine, and dining. The workforce is also becoming more white collar. Between 1950 and 1985 the proportion of white-collar workers rose from 41 percent to 33 percent, and that of service workers increased from 12 percent to 14 percent. These trends have continues into the new millennium.