The USA is 27th (chart)

from David Ruccio

The usual excuse, from mainstream economists and politicians, that the U.S. healthcare system should remain mostly in for-profit, private hands is because the outcomes of that system make it the best in the world.

But a new study (published in the Journal of the American Medical Association) of the burden of diseases, injuries, and leading risk factors in the United States from 1990 to 2010 in comparison to the other countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries reveals a quite different story.

So how did we do compare to other countries?

“The United States is the only advanced economy in the world that . . .”

from David Ruccio

According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, 

Average Rankings for the 8 Income and Leisure Indicators

Decline of the USA (Al Jazeera’s review)

For days of holiday and vacation taken per year the USA ranks 23rd out of 23

Decline of the USA     (Al Jazeera’s review)  

For average hours worked per person annually in employment the USA ranks 22nd out of 30

Decline of the USA     (Al Jazeera’s review)   

For current account balance as a percentage of GDP the USA ranks 25th out of 30

Decline of the USA     (Al Jazeera’s review)  

For income equality the USA ranks 28th out of 29

Decline of the USA     (Al Jazeera’s review)    

For share of income received by richest 10% the USA ranks 26th out of 28

Decline of the USA     (Al Jazeera’s review)    

For share of income received by poorest 20% the USA ranks 27th out of 28

Decline of the USA    (Al Jazeera’s review)     

For GDP per hour worked the USA ranks 7th out of 30

Decline of the USA     (Al Jazeera’s review)  

Average Rankings for the 8 Education Indicators (USA ranks 18 out of 30.)

Decline of the USA      (Al Jazeera’s review)  .

For first time graduation rates in tertiary education the USA ranks 14th out of 26.

Decline of the USA      (Al Jazeera’s review)

Download Decline of the USA as pdf e-book for $5.00 / €4.00 / £3.25 More information

Al Jazeera –full review
Fullbrook’s book reminds us that there’s a rational order in the world – that countries can learn from one another’s experience in tackling social problems and challenges, and that by striving to match what already works elsewhere, they can make their own countries better.

For percentage of population age 25 to 34 with tertiary education the USA ranks 14th out of 30

Decline of the USA  

For science-related graduates among 25-34 year olds in employment the USA ranks 21st out of 27.

Decline of the USA (Al Jazeera’s review)   

Education: Student achievement in reading literacy – 11th out of 30

Decline of the USA (Al Jazeera’s review)   

Education: Student achievement in mathematical literacy – 23rd out of 30

Decline of the USA      (Al Jazeera’s review)   

Education: Student achievement in scientific literacy – 15th out of 30

Decline of the USA       (Al Jazeera’s review)    

Average rankings for the 8 family indicators — 30 out of 30

Decline of the USA      (Al Jazeera’s review)  

Family: Divorce Rate – 26th out of 26

Decline of the USA      (Al Jazeera’s review) 

Family: Percentage of young adolescents living with both parents – 26th out of 26

Decline of the USA      (Al Jazeera’s review)