As we bravely enter the third millennium, it's time to take stock of the state of our world. Here are some startling titbits from the Issues 2000 special edition of Newsweek (December 1999):
- In 1995, 22% of Britons still could not read or write.
- In 1997, the unemployment rate among under-25s was 13% in the UK, 28% in France and 38% in Spain.
- In 1993, the percentage of the population in prison was 7.5 times higher in the US than in Europe.
- In 1978, Greeks spent 5 times less on health care, per capita, than the US, but had a life expectancy of 78 compared to 76 in the US.
- Based on sustainability, fairness, harmony and readiness, most European countries (including the UK but not including France) are in a better state than the US or Canada.
- The assets of the world's 3 richest people are more than the GNP of 26 of the world's poorest nations.
- Ten countries report that more than half the population lives on US$1 a day.
- 1 in every 30 Argentineans has had cosmetic surgery.
- Currently, 60% of the world's population lives in multiparty democracies.
- Countries with the highest per capita emissions of CO2: Singapore, United States, Australia.
- Nearly a quarter of the world's population does not have access to clean drinking water.
- Floor space per capita in Melbourne, Australia: 55 square meters, in Lahore, Pakistan: 1.2 square meters.
- How much has TV watching increased over the last 40 years? Not at all - it's remained steady at 1.5 - 2 hours.
- The life expectancy of children born today is 10 years longer than that of children born in 1965.
- Longest school years in the world: China (251 days), Japan (243), Korea (220)
- Countries with the highest per capita production of ice cream: New Zealand, US, Canada
- Country with the highest daily per capita intake of fat: France.
- Twice as many Americans describe their lives as 'rushed' than Japanese or Russians, but more Americans say they would rather be busy than have time on their hands.
- In many developing countries the expected number of children per woman has declined from 6 to 3 since the 50s.
- Americans and Canadians sleep less than any other nationalities.
- The percentage of deaths due to non-communicable diseases is expected to rise from 43% in 1998 to 73% in 2020.
- World's happiest country: Iceland.