SHOCKFACTS: US world leader

Issue 

  • There are 2,078,570 people in prison in the US (more than in any other country in the world).

  • In 1998, 68 people were executed in the US. Only two countries executed more.

  • The US is the largest arms exporter in the world. In 2001, it exported US$4,562 million worth of arms.

  • The US spends more than any other country in the world on its defence budget. In 1999, $276.7 billion was spent on the US military.

  • In the US, 22.4% of children live in poverty.

  • The US produces more pollution from carbon dioxide than any other country. In 1998 it produced 20 tons per capita.

[Source: <http://www.nationmaster.com>. Got a shockfact? Email <glw@greenleft.org.au>.]

From Green Left Weekly, November 3, 2004.
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