- In 1983, 18-34 year olds were 5 percentage points more likely than those aged over 55 to support higher taxes and public spending. Now they are 9 points less likely to support this. [British Social Attitudes]
- In 1997, beef in the developing world cost a third less in real terms than in 1971. [The Economist, 13th December 2003]
- There are more weblogs written in Persian than any language other than French and English. [BBC, 12th December 2003]
- Only 5 per cent of land in the US is urbanised. [Michael Crichton's website]
- There are 2.5m pulped Mills and Boon books in the new M6. The paper's absorbency helps keep tarmac in place. [BBC, 18th November 2003]
- More than half the countries in the world have populations under 6m. [The Economist, 20th December 2003]
- One in ten adults has an extra pair of ribs. [Village Voice, 17th November 2003]
- The number of attempted bank and building society robberies in Britain fell from 1,400 in 1991 to 250 last year. [The Economist, 3rd January 2004]
- The US grants 78 per cent more high-tech patents per capita than Europe. [Time, 19th January 2004]
- 50 per cent of speaking time consists of silence. [New York Times, 3rd January 2004]
- In 1961, the Brazilian government made it illegal for Pel? to be sold to a foreign club. [Foreign Policy, January/February 2004]
- 19 per cent of Britons think immigrants should get less welfare support than British citizens, but 58 per cent believe they are entitled to the same level of support if they show a commitment to the country (eg learning the language). [Mori/Prospect poll, p16)
