Are These Numbers Out Of This World?

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's 2012 Better Life Index rated the well-being of its 34 member countries

. Among things considered were income, education, life satisfaction and work-life balance. The U.S. was 1st in average household income - $102,000 - with only Switzerland coming close - $95,000. Americans spent 20% of disposable income on housing - the index average was 22%. Seventy-six percent of Americans had a positive life satisfaction - the index average was 72%. However, only Mexico, Turkey and Japan ranked lower in work-life balance. It seems Americans may be wealthy, but we're not as healthy and wise.

The number of millionaire households worldwide increased by 175,000 in 2011. However, the U.S. number decreased by 129,000. The Boston Consulting Group defined millionaire households as those having over $1 million in cash, stocks and other assets - excluding property, businesses and luxury goods. Singapore had the highest proportion - 17% of households. The U.S. had 4.3% - ranking it 7th. Regarding households with more than $100 million in wealth, Switzerland was 1st - 11 in every 100,000 households. Singapore was 2nd with 10 in every 100,000. The U.S. didn't make the top 15 in this category. However, Americans seem to spend like we did.

The world's most expensive city is Tokyo. The 2012 Mercer ranking was based on factors including housing, transportation, food and clothing. Luanda, Angola was second followed by Osaka, Moscow and Geneva. The rankings of North and South American cities went up because of inflation. Those of European cities - except Moscow - went down because of bad economies. The rankings went up in Asian cities because of the strength of their currencies and went up in African cities because of the expense of safe housing. New York (#33) was the most expensive U.S. city - which surprises only San Franciscans.

It's not just overpopulation that is endangering the world's food supply. A 2012 study published in the journal BMC Public Health estimated 17 million tons of the global body mass - 316 million tons - was due to people being overweight. That's like having half a billion more people. Although the U.S. represented 5% of the world's population, it represented 33% of the world's obesity weight. Asia represented 61% of the population, but only 13% of the obesity weight. The average global body weight was 137 pounds; in North America it was 178 pounds. North Americans' sedentary lifestyle is adding to the worldWIDE obesity problem.

by: Knight Pierce Hirst

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