EVERY WEEK, TheJournal.ie offers a selection of statistics and numerical nuggets to help you digest the week that has just passed.
21 per cent - The proportion of pensioners living alone who have an internet connection in their homes, according to the 2011 Census. Age Action Ireland has said the fact that so many isolated people were without access to a method which is slowly becoming the main way of engaging with public services.
1.937 million – The number of trips made to Ireland by foreign tourists between May and July this year. That’s down by about 7,000 on the same period last year, with a drop-off in British and American visitors to blame. Tourism chiefs will be hoping the bump in US visitors as a result of the Notre Dame v Navy game will help to revive that stat.
About 1,003,000,000 – The number of pub measures of Jameson Irish Whiskey which were sold worldwide in the 12 months to June 2012. Figures from Pernod Ricard show that a record 3.9 million cases of the whiskey – each with 9 litres of the whiskey – were sold in the last year. That’s 35.1 million litres – while an Irish pub measure is 35ml.
70 per cent – The proportion of a person’s working income that they should aim to have in their retirement, according to the pensions industry – meaning a new survey is worrying reading. It says only a sixth of people under 24 believe the figure – with most thinking they could get by on a lesser income.
70 per cent – The proportion of Irish people who have barely any adult teeth in their mouths, according to a Swiss writer in a piece that has made waves here this week. The piece by Antje Joel also lambastes Ireland for spending more on stout than on primary education.
1,543 – The number of offers for degree places which were distributed in the second round of CAO offers yesterday. Almost 59,000 people have now been offered some further education course for 2012-2013.
€60m to €100m – The estimated benefit to the Irish economy from the Notre Dame v Navy game in the Aviva Stadium today. The figures are based on the estimates that about 33,000 of the people attending the match have come from the US specially to attend the clash. Either way, the return isn’t bad considering that The Gathering, the event’s main sponsor, has put €600,000 into it.
46 per cent – The proportion of US workers who say they’re less productive if they haven’t had coffee. 61 per cent told a survey that they needed two cups or more simply to get through the working day.
487 - The number of days, according to a European Commission report leaked this week, between now and the introduction of water charges. The document says the charges will be place by January 1, 2014 – far earlier than Phil Hogan had previously suggested.
Two to one – The proportion by which New Zealand’s parliament passed a law changing the definition of marriage – which, when enacted, will allow same-sex couples to wed. The measure was passed 80-40 after the main parties agreed to lift the party whip and allow members hold a ‘conscience vote’.
€35,768 - The average annual wage in Ireland in the second quarter of 2012. That’s down by just over €400 from the first quarter. The average wage for someone working in industry is €41,806.96.
€425,150 – The amount, per room, by which the value of the Burlington Hotel has fallen in the last five years. Developer Bernard McNamara bought the famed Dublin 4 hotel for €288 million in 2007 – but it’s back up for sale again for €75 million, only just over a quarter of that.
116 – The age of Besse Cooper, the world’s oldest woman – who has two simple tips for how to reach her age.
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