The United States, despite its US$32 trillion economy, achieves only 27% of its potential for dignified work and fair income—the worst score among OECD nations, according to Human Rights Measurement Initiative data spanning 25 years. Health scores sit at 80% (trailing Canada at 90% and Iceland at 97%), while food security reaches just 81%, leaving an estimated 14.8 million more women and 9.1 million more men without reliable nutrition. Recent policy cuts threaten further declines: 11.8 million Americans may lose subsidized health insurance by 2023, rising to 17 million by 2034, and 3.4 million lost food assistance between September 2025 and June 2026.

On work and pay, the U.S. scores 75% on job availability but has fallen from 62% to 51% on fair income since 2000, reflecting widening inequality. Raising the federal minimum wage could lift 46 million workers above a fair-pay threshold and pull 5 million out of extreme poverty (under $4.20/day). Education scores 76% overall—90.7% for access but only 61.3% for quality—ranking 20th of 38 OECD countries.

The data shows America’s wealth is not being converted into universal opportunity. Cuts to health coverage and food programs are pushing key indicators in the wrong direction.