The World in Figures 2010

I was pleased to receive a complimentary copy the other day of the Economist’s Pocket World in Figures for 2010. As someone who revels in statistics, this was an irresistible read. There’s lots of great stuff in there, but I’ve pulled out a few which are of relevance to learning and technology (excuse my UK focus):

• Of the world’s top 10 universities, four are British and the rest American. Canada and Japan are the only other countries to appear in the top 20.
• The highest enrolment in tertiary education as a % of the relevant age group is in Cuba, South Korea, Finland, Greece, Slovenia and the USA. The UK is outside the top 25.
• Education spending as a % of GDP is highest in Cuba, Lesotho, Denmark, Moldova, Botswana, Swaziland and Iceland.
• Countries with the most internet hosts: USA (332m), followed by Japan (43m).
• The Gulf states and Italy have the highest penetration of mobile phones. In all of the top 48 countries there is more than 1 mobile registered per person. In the world as a whole there is one mobile phone for every two people.
• The highest penetration of computers is in Canada (94 for every 100 people). In the USA and UK the figure is 80 and for the world as a whole, 15.
• The highest penetration of broadband is in Northern Europe (around 35% of people subscribe). In the USA and the UK, the figure is around 25%.
• The highest technological readiness (the ability of the economy to adopt new technologies) is in Northern Europe. The USA is 11th.

Other interesting stats:

• For the highest GDP per head look to northern Europe, with USA 13th and UK 14th. Northern European countries also provide the most international aid per head.
• China is by far the biggest producer of all types of food.
• Most Nobel prize winners in history come from the USA, then UK.
• Biggest drinkers, Germany; biggest smokers, Greece.
• You’re most likely to be murdered in Belize or run down by a car in Qatar.
• Defence spending of the USA is $552 billion; next biggest is the UK with $63 billion.
• Most environmentally friendly country is Switzerland. UK is 15th, USA 39th.
• Most cinema attendances: China (1.5 billion), followed by USA.
• Daily newspapers per 1000 of population: highest is Iceland with 821; UK is 315, USA 184.
• The French spend more time than anyone sleeping. And, apart from the Turks, they also spend more time eating and drinking (over 2 hours per day, compared to 1.5 hours in the UK).
• The Mexicans watch the most TV.
• The oldest populations are in Japan, Germany and Italy.
• The cities with the highest quality of living are mostly in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
• The highest GDP per head is Luxembourg with $103K. The USA and the UK both stand at $45K.
• France gets the most tourists (81m), followed by Spain (59m) and the USA (55m). The UK gets 30m. The biggest tourist spenders are the Americans and the Germans.
• Highest life expectancy is in Japan (82.7); lowest is in Afghanistan (43.8).
• Highest cost of living is Japan; lowest is Pakistan.
• The highest levels of obesity can be found in the Middle East and the USA.

At this point I must stop and urge you to buy your own copy.