Sandwich class

The sandwich class is an informal term used in Singapore[1] and Hong Kong[2] to refer to the middle class.

Not to be confused with Sandwich-class ship of the line.
Sandwich class
Traditional Chinese夾心階層
Simplified Chinese夹心阶层

Very generally, the sandwich class consists of lower-middle-class people who feel "squeezed" — although they are not poor, they are not able to achieve their aspirations as people with a higher income.

In Hong Kong, this comprises families with an income of US$20,000–40,000 per year. Per capita income is typically around US$10,000 per year in Hong Kong, so this places them far above the average family in the territory. However, given very high real estate prices, it is nowhere near enough for them to afford a private residence. Hence, they are "sandwiched" between the large population who truly need public assistance, and the smaller number of people who can afford private residences and other luxury goods.

See also

References
  1. Syu Y. K. (2008-02-23). "Suffering sandwich class? Hardly" (letter). The Straits Times.
  2. Lee, James (1994). "Affordability, Home Ownership and the Middle Class Housing Crisis in Hong Kong". Policy & Politics. 22 (3): 179. doi:10.1332/030557394782453690.
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