Distress Symbols: Startling statistics on the state of the union
by Paul Schmelzer, 7/17/08 • New studies on American rankings on the well-being of its citizens and its human development progress worldwide are shocking to say the least. From several reports today:
10.5 Misery Index rating (unemployment + inflation): highest since Jan. ’93
42 U.S rank in life expectancy
24 American rank in life expectancy among the top 30 most affluent nations
30 Average life expectancy gap between residents of Mississippi and Connecticut, in years
24 Percentage of the global prison population incarcerated in the U.S.
5 America’s percentage of world population
50 Average life expectancy gap between Asian Americans and African Americans, in years
6.6 Energy price increase in June, as a percentage
5 Annual percentage increase in retail prices (as of June), the biggest 12-month change since May 1991
47 million Approximate number of uninsured Americans
10.7 million American children living in families with incomes of less than $1,500 per month
85 Percentage of Americans who believe the country is on the wrong track
52 Percentage of Americans who believe the “American Dream” is no longer attainable (according to a new TIME/Rockefeller poll)
48 The United States’ rank in world press freedoms, of 169 countries
2 The United States’ rank in human development in 1991
12 The United States’ rank in human development today
2 The United States’ rank in per-capita income among 177 countries
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