Over 20% of homes in Maine are vacant due to a saturated housing market and economic downturn. The US has seen a rise in vacant homes, with around 12% of homes being vacant. Other states with high vacancy rates include Florida, Vermont, Arizona, and Nevada. Two-thirds of Maine’s vacant homes are vacation homes, while other […]
37% of US households owned a gun in 2013, with 24% of adults personally owning one. The US has the highest gun ownership rate in the world, with 270 million civilian firearms, or 90 for every 100 people. Japan has the lowest rate, while Brazil has the highest rate of gun homicides. About 37 percent […]
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses a Monthly Current Population Survey (CPS) to generate the national unemployment rate, which includes a sample of approximately 110,000 people in 60,000 households. The BLS assigns individuals to one of three classifications: employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force. The monthly unemployment rate is 90% accurate, with […]
A special tariff is a tax on commercial goods produced or sold within a country, such as taxes on gasoline, tobacco, and alcohol. It is an indirect form of taxation that raises revenue for the government and helps prevent substance abuse. The tax rate is charged per unit of measure and is often confused with […]
The belief that a baby’s heart rate can predict their gender is popular but has no scientific evidence. A baby’s heart rate varies during pregnancy, with no significant difference between male and female heart rates. A higher heart rate is more indicative of a child’s activity level than their gender. Predicting the gender of a […]
The foreign exchange market sets the exchange rate between currencies, with several factors influencing the rate. Currency values fluctuate daily, and websites offer interactive currency calculators to determine exchange rates. The foreign exchange market is the biggest financial market on the planet. Basically a consortium of world banks, this consortium/market sets the exchange rate, known […]
Drilling for fossil fuels is a large industry with varying rates of penetration measured in feet per minute, minutes per foot, or meters per hour. Drilling is used for mining oil, natural gas, or water and new techniques are being developed to work faster and more efficiently while being less burdensome on the environment. Knowing […]
The absentee rate reflects absenteeism in an industry or occupation, with an absence rate above 5% being unusual. Statisticians often do not consider the reason for absence, and an unusually high absence rate could indicate underlying issues. The cost of absenteeism can be significant, and statistics can be compiled by industry or occupation. Annual absentee […]
Male suicide rates are higher than female rates worldwide, with factors including chosen methods and societal expectations contributing to the disparity. Male suicide is common among young adults and the elderly, with older men being more successful in their attempts. Firearms are a common method for men, while women tend to poison themselves. Men over […]
Inventory turnover rate calculates how many times a company replaces its inventory to generate sales in a given period. It helps manage inventory levels and determine how much cash should be tied up in inventory. Calculating the rate allows a business to determine the smallest amount of inventory needed and how many times it needs […]
Vacancy rates indicate the availability of rental properties, houses for sale, and hotels. High rates suggest an economic depression, while low rates are desirable. Landlords and realtors keep track of these rates to determine rent prices and market trends. Commercial vacancy rates are also important, as high rates can deter consumers. Vacancy rates are statistics […]
The rate of perceived exertion is a subjective way of determining how hard a person perceives their body is working during physical activity. Originally based on a 20-point scale and later revised to a 10-point scale, it can help provide an approximation of a person’s heart rate. Rate of perceived exertion is a subjective way […]
The Social Security Death Index is a database of deceased US citizens with a Social Security number. It began in 1935 and contains basic information about the deceased. It is useful for genealogy research, but the Social Security Administration does not independently publish it. Additional information can be obtained through the National Insurance Office. The […]
Fitness experts recommend maintaining your pulse rate in a specific range known as your target heart rate during exercise. The Karvonen method calculates this range using age, maximum heart rate, and resting heart rate. Maintaining a target heart rate ensures improvements in cardiovascular health and can predict the effectiveness of a particular form of exercise. […]
Wrist heart rate monitors come in two types: one with a chest strap sensor and a wristwatch receiver, and one with sensors built into the watch face. The latter may not be suitable for runners or cyclists. Additional features and comfort should also be considered when choosing a wrist heart rate monitor. The term “wrist […]
12% of the US population live below the poverty line, indicating a lack of basic needs. The poverty line in 2009 was $11,000 USD. Zambia has the highest poverty rate, while Taiwan has the lowest. Nearly 50% of the world’s population lives on $2.50 USD or less a day. 24,000 children under 5 die each […]
Trade tariffs are taxes on goods crossing borders, originally used for national revenue but now often based on protectionism. Tariffs can be imposed in response to trade restrictions, to correct trade imbalances, or to tax items from countries with lower environmental standards. The World Customs Organization established commercial tariff standards and an identification code for […]
The US has a death rate of 8 per 1,000 people, lower than some countries like Uganda and Yemen but higher than others like Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Aging populations contribute to higher death rates in developed countries like the UK and Sweden. Heart disease, cancer, and traffic accidents are the leading causes of death in […]
A rate card lists goods available for import with their corresponding duty rates. Most countries use the Harmonized System, which is organized by chapters. The US uses the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and determines rates through the Harmonized Rate Program. The WCO proposed changes to the system in 2009, which will take effect in 2012. A […]
Southwest Airlines has the lowest fatality rate in the world, with zero fatalities in 17.87 million flights. Commercial airliners are safer than private aircraft, with 4.03 deaths per million flight hours. Cubana Airlines and China Airlines have the worst records of fatalities. The probability of dying on a single flight is eight million out of […]
