Merit, origin, or luck — A qualitative exploration of social mobility in Chile

Through personal testimonies, the research traces a wide range of experiences: women overcoming structural barriers to reach leadership roles; first-generation university graduates entering unfamiliar professional environments; migrants rebuilding their careers abroad; and Indigenous communities striving for progress while preserving cultural identity.

The findings show that social mobility is shaped by a combination of factors—including gender, family background, geographic location, ethnicity, and unexpected life events. Some of these open doors, while others impose limits. Mobility emerges not only as an economic shift, but as an emotional and psychological journey marked by resilience, sacrifice, and ongoing personal reinvention.

Although individual effort and access to education are important, long-term progress depends on wider structural support. Fairer systems—such as equal access to opportunities, inclusive professional networks, and evolving social attitudes—are essential to ensure that more people can advance, regardless of where they begin.

The study challenges simplistic notions of merit, highlighting how circumstances of birth and sheer chance intertwine with hard work and ambition. It invites institutions, employers, educators, and policymakers to consider how stronger support mechanisms—such as mentoring programmes, equitable recruitment practices, and inclusive organisational cultures—can broaden opportunities for many.

Readers are encouraged to consult the full book to explore these lived experiences in depth and reflect on their implications for building a more equitable society.

To fully understand these experiences and what they mean for building a more equitable society, readers are invited to explore the full book.