New data captures how economic insecurity, safety fears are impacting AAPIs

The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) has unveiled the State of AAPIs, a new research series that provides an unprecedented, detailed look at the lived experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) nationally and in major metros.

AAPI communities are among the fastest growing and most diverse groups in the U.S., over 25 million strong and encompassing over 50 distinct ethnic groups. Yet their unique struggles are often overlooked in research and policy, even as their populations rapidly expand in cities across America.

The State of AAPIs national report offers a close look at how AAPIs are navigating economic insecurity, safety concerns, and feelings of belonging. According to a nationally representative survey of 1,500 AAPI adults:

• 51% struggled to save money or build financial security in the past 12 months, a figure that rose to 60% or higher among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI), Vietnamese, and Korean respondents. 
• When asked to choose from a list of income-disrupting experiences, 37% experienced a significant income disruption in the past year, including 51% of NHPI respondents and 46% of Korean respondents.
• 31% struggled to access safe and stable housing and 30% received government or community assistance in the past year, with nearly as many (28%) reporting difficulty accessing those benefits.
• More than half adopted avoidance behaviors, such as carrying identification or avoiding certain places out of fear of bias from police or immigration officials, rising to 62% among Vietnamese respondents.
• 37% believe it is at least somewhat likely they will be a victim of a hate attack in the next five years.

New York City tells a similar story. According to a survey of 1,400 AAPI New Yorkers, representative at the city and borough-levels, TAAF found that: 

• NYC has long been seen as a beacon of opportunity, and many AAPIs (67%) still agree. But 55% of survey respondents say they have considered leaving NYC at least sometimes as the cost of living rises.
• 59% struggled to save toward a financial future, and 50% worried about affording essentials like food, housing, and utilities, in the past year.
• More than 1 in 3 AAPIs (37%) experienced adverse treatment in the past year in their borough; the number reached 48% among Bangladeshi respondents and 58% among AAPIs in Staten Island. 36% said they felt unwelcome at least some of the time, in the last 12 months, in public spaces because of their race or cultural background.
• More than 1 in 4 AAPIs said they faced challenges related to voting (27%), accessing immigration services (28%), and everyday communication due to language barriers (29%) in the past year. ‍
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About The Asian American Foundation

TAAF serves the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community by promoting safety, fostering belonging, and advancing prosperity. It was launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and to address the long-standing underinvestment in AAPI communities. For additional information about TAAF, please visit www.taaf.org.