September 16, 2023
It’s happened again. I have nothing of interest to pass along, and my daily blog deadline is looming. So I shall, as I often do in such circumstances, turn to the latest Harper’s Index for edifying factual tidbits to tide you over until next time.
Thusly:
Number of years by which the median American’s age has increased since 1980: 9
Percentage decrease since 2000 in the average global fertility rate: 15
Percentage of Americans 65 and older who believe their life advice should be compiled into a book: 41
Portion of Americans 65 and older who have used a dating app: 1/4
Who use social media every day: 2/3
Percentage by which people who are frequently lonely are at greater risk of premature death: 60
Percentage by which Europeans report less engagement at work than Americans: 62
By which Europeans report less stress than Americans: 26
Percentage of American adults who claim they have no secrets: 11
Factor by which those 65 and older are more likely than those under 30 to claim this: 3
Portion of Gen Z-ers who support the government installation of surveillance cameras in households to prevent crime: 3/10
Percentage change since 1995 in support for the FBI among Republicans: −65
Among Democrats: +40
Portion of first-time U.S. gun buyers during the pandemic who were women: 1/2
Who were people of color: 1/2
Minimum number of children newly exposed to guns at home since the start of the pandemic: 3,000,000
Portion of Americans who apologize for something out of their control at least once a day: 1/4
Percentage by which those who attend religious services weekly are more likely to do so: 72
Estimated percentage decrease this year in U.S. sales of engagement rings: 9
Of wedding dresses: 4
Percentage of physicians and surgeons who marry partners with the same profession: 19
Of lawyers who do: 13
Portion of firefighters who are married to registered nurses: 1/10