Financial Surveys & Statistics

Here are some random, but relevant statistics that I’ve collected the past week.

36.3% – The percentage of 142 million tax returns filed in 2008, or 51.6 million, that resulted in no federal tax payment, a record. The old record was set in 2006, when 33% of tax filers paid nothing. (Source: Tax Foundation)

64% – Undoubtedly driven in part by her continuing efforts to pass the national health care plan, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remains the most unpopular congressional leader, as she has for months. Pelosi is now viewed unfavorably by 64% of voters, which ties a high reached in August. That number includes 47% with a very unfavorable opinion of the California Democrat. (Source: Rasmussen Reports)

81% – An overwhelming majority of Americans (81%) continue to believe that people learn more practical skills through experiences and work after college rather than in college. (Source: Rasmussen Reports)

73% – The percentage of employers that don’t anticipate hiring more staff from April through June, the same as in the first quarter, which is the highest since records began in 1972, Just 16% of surveyed employers said they expect to expand their payrolls. (Source: Manpower, Inc.)

$997.07 – The average consumer spending on home entertainment and media (excluding land and cell telephones) in 2009. (Source: Census Bureau)