It’s actually incredible how much random data can be used in statistics. Not just the population of people, unemployment, number of detected Covid cases, etc. These are the statistics we most often see in the media because they are relevant and of public importance. Journalists generally love using statistical data because it can be the main focal point for an article. Other than that, people love statistics. They trust them more than they believe their friend. Also, they are based on quantitative evidence, and that’s usually enough to persuade somebody.
Yet, there are so many statistics that you perhaps had no clue what they even exist. Did you know someone compelled a survey and found that half of Britons wouldn’t take a trip to the moon, even if they were guaranteed safety? Me neither. And you know what the most common reason was? They had no interest in going. Simple as that. It’s not like it was a piece of crucial information to know about, yet it’s pretty darn interesting.
About a week ago, Reddit user Foundation_james reached out to Ask Reddit fellas, asking them to share the most interesting statistics they know. And they did. Think 21.4k comments. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most interesting stats Redditors have provided. Do you know of any fascinating stats? Also, do you research the statistics you find online or believe them blindly? Because it seems that 9 out of 10 people don’t bother…
More info: Reddit
#1
Image source: Cantbetoobad1953, Maxim Hopman
There are more privately owned guns than people in the U.S. (Washington Post June 19, 2018)
#2
Image source: PBB22, Ivan Aleksic
There have been 288 mass shootings at schools since 2009 in the USA. The country with the next highest amount has………….. 8. To be clear they have 2.7% of the mass shootings at school that we do.
Which does not count Pulse in Orlando, the Vegas Strip shooting, etc.
#3
Image source: hysys_whisperer, Chip Vincent
The leading cause of death for ages 5 to 18 (correction 1 through 18) has recently switched from car crashes to gun violence in the US.
Your school age child is more likely to die from gun violence than any other cause, including car crashes. 21% gun violence, 20% car crashes.
(Edit: Seeing as rates of gun violence for 1 to 4 year olds is exceedingly low (accidental deaths are a different category), the picture for 5 to 18 year olds is likely higher than 21%)
#4
Image source: ETphonehoooome, 4711018
Innocent people will admit to a crime they never committed 43% of the time.
#5
Image source: Kraagenskul, State Farm
Less than 10% of Americans do not wear seatbelts and account for 51% of car related fatalities.
Wear your seatbelt. Ignore your friend who told you “My buddy’s cousin would’ve died if he was wearing his seatbelt!”
#6
Image source: Creek-StyleYus, Museums Victoria
70% of the german population believe that their ancestors during WW2 helped jewish escapees or didn’t support/partake in the actions performed by the nazis.
#7
Image source: Molesandmangoes, nasa
48% of British people wouldn’t go to space even if their safety was guaranteed with the most popular reason being that they just simply didn’t have any interest in going
#8
Image source: Davecasa, William Warby
Of the 30 fastest 100 meter sprint times, 21 were run by athletes who tested positive for performance enhancing drugs.
The other 9 were Usain Bolt.
#9
Image source: bananacumshake, Artyominc
Brazil is the country that kills the most trans women per year.
Brazil is also the country where the porn category with the most viewers is the one with trans women.
#10
Image source: BreakfastShots, Smoke_Me_When_i_Die
Communism has worked 0% of the times it was tried.
#11
Image source: the_universe_is_ded, Jasmine Halki
Genghis Khan killed so many people that he cooled the earth by a bit.
#12
Image source: Popcorn53, Matt Aylward
Survey of Fortune 500 executives found that 93% agree the golf reflects life.
86% admit to cheating at golf.
#13
Image source: Bayou-Magic, Jennifer Lim-Tamkican
Chopping wood for an hour results in a 48% increase in testosterone in men.
#14
Image source: TheDankestPassions, Ariungoo Batzorig
Despite making up less than 4% of the population, Americans produce over 20% of the garbage in the world.
#15
Image source: debTG81007, Agnieszka Mordaunt
That the remains found in Machu Picchu are 80% female.
#16
Image source: Booklover510, Nenad Stojkovic
50% of human DNA is shared with bananas
#17
34 percent of adults and 75 percent of children sleep with a stuffed animal or a blanket, or other sentimental object as their comfort object.
#18
Image source: LudovicoKM, Nacho Arteaga
There are 1.9 popes per square mile in the Vatican City
#19
Image source: personoid, Tony Webster
There are more Panda Express restaurants than actual Pandas
#20 Last But Not Least
Image source: elcoco13, Michael S
93% of people don’t check facts they read on the internet.