Australia is doing better on economic mobility than many other countries, but experts warn conditions are getting tougher. 

Research by the Treasury has reviewed the income data of 1 million people born in the late 1970s to the early 80s to show that those born into the lowest fifth of family incomes are much more likely to reach the top fifth of incomes than people in other developed economies, such as the United States.

Of Australians born into the bottom 20 per cent of incomes, over 12 per cent end up in the top 20 per cent, compared to just 7.5 per cent in the US.

But the research also shows there is still a clear persistence in wealth across generations. 

Also, the figures suggest that compared to parents born in Australia, the children of migrants to Australia are more likely to be able to improve their economic standing.

More details are accessible here.